Global talent development includes Six Sigma perspective

In order to satisfy growth in emerging economies, investment in talent development is needed to sustain operations: "Motorola University China, for instance, has 203 instructors who deliver 130 courses across subjects including Six Sigma business improvement and supply chain management." http://bit.ly/aNqZi3

Integrate Kaizen and Six Sigma to

... improve the repair process. Indy uses kaizen and Six Sigma to accelerate pothole repairs using the: "Chuckhole Kaizen Response, implemented with the assistance of Eli Lilly Six Sigma black belts ... " http://bit.ly/c2BhQh

Flowserve Six Sigma Margin Improvement Hundred Basis Points

Flowserve is served by its lean and Six Sigma strategy as margins improve. ...

... "Sales in the valve division of 1.2 billion in 2009 were down $179 million or 12.9% versus 2008, and down 8.9% on a constant currency basis. Gross margin was 37% versus 36%, an increase of 100 basis points as our pricing, low-cost sourcing, lean manufacture, six sigma, and material strategies continued to perform for us. SG&A decreased to 20.4% versus 20.8% from prior year, while operating margin including realignment adjustments increased 120 basis points from 2008 to 17%. " ...

Flowserve Corp. Q4 2009 Earnings Call Transcript via Seeking Alpha: http://bit.ly/aeeceL

DOE Nuclear Six Sigma Management Applications

Department of Energy mentions management experiences with Six Sigma at Nuclear Deterrence Summit. ...

... "The federal site manager and the contractor are working well together, clearly understand their respective roles and missions, apply Six Sigma management techniques, use the same data base to manage and oversee the contract, have streamlined safety directives, developed a new NNSA-wide approach to supply chain management, and achieved outstanding production results. " ...

http://bit.ly/aVgClq

Ariba Six Sigma Sourcing

Ariba struggles to articulate its strengths in the marketplace. ...

... "much of the original team remains and, without question, it has some of the most efficient sourcing-services delivery arms in the world, thanks to the Six Sigma work of Kent Parker and others over the years. " ...

Via Spend Matters: Ariba

When Six Sigma is not good enuf

There are some processes where the Sixth Sigma quality level of performance is not high enough. http://bit.ly/d5kCri

Sparton Lean Profitability

Sparton counts on lean and Six Sigma to expand its profit margins. ...

... "As previously indicated, our focus in the EMS segment will be on continuing our operational improvements through the ongoing implementation of lean manufacturing techniques and six sigma practices which we expect to ultimately provide higher gross margin levels in the future. " ...

Via dBusinessNews: Sparton Corporation

Six Sigma Cooling Towers

Dow and Nalco collaborate to improve production operations: The Facts on Dow Texas: "the technology, dubbed 3D TRASAR, which uses a Six Sigma-influenced effort to classify 80 cooling tower systems in a way that optimizes operations. "

Haynes Continuous Improvement through Six Sigma and Lean Techniques

Haynes commits to Lean and Six Sigma in its operational excellence journey. ...

... "We are also building our Haynes history of continuous improvement by implementing lean techniques in our facilities and incorporating the project management and problem solving riggers at Six Sigma. Haynes has always had a strong commitment to quality and waste reduction for utilizing principles of statistical process control and continuous improvement. However, we have recognized that there are some things we can learn and efficiencies we can gain by implementing lean techniques in Six Sigma methodology. " ...

Via Seeking Alpha: Haynes International Earnings Call

Haynes has leveraged lean in its energy efficiency and waste reduction programs. ...

Haynes Lean Achievements discussed in Business Excellence (PDF): "An interesting spin-off from the lean program is that it has been boosting other company improvement initiatives. A major energy user, Haynes has been working on ways to reduce its energy consumption and cut the amount of the waste going to landfill. "

Six Sigma Shift Happens

WSJ article confronts the challenge of implementing Six Sigma without a continuous improvement culture. Shift happens. Which usually results in back-slide of performance. A robust control phase, in the DMAIC process, should work to sustain the achieved performance level and proactively identify shifts before its impacts the process. ...

... "one aerospace company that implemented more than 100 improvement projects, only to determine less than two years later that more than half had failed to generate lasting gains. " ...

Via Wall Street Journal: Six Sigma Failure

Six Sigma Standardized Processe in IT

Chief Information Officers look for strategies to lower costs, such as process standardization and efficiency, through methods that integrate Six Sigma and lean. ...

... "Standardize IT processes and operations - CIOs can bring in service management best practices; apply six sigma and lean principles to streamline the process of maintenance and support. " ...

Via Computerworld: Cost Saving for IT

Six Sigma Fishbone Diagram

Substance Tracking Six Sigma Initiatives

Actio's new version of Regulator improves capabilities for manufacturers to automate screening of raw materials at the product and substance level, enabling disciplined chemical inventory management. ...

... "Actio Regulator allows manufacturers to reduce harmful emissions by tracking and monitoring precise, standardized measurements of all hazardous or suspicious ingredients in mixtures, parts or components – down to the substance level. Actio solutions help companies towards Corporate Social Responsibility by inciting best practices resulting from visible, collaborative, rational chemical handling, managing supply chain materials data, and streamlining material disclosure processes. These and other Six Sigma initiatives mitigate risk and drive companies toward leaner operations as well as corporate sustainability objectives. " ...

Via Actio Corp: Actio Regulator

Six Sigma Aircraft Systems

PhotoEtch embraces Six Sigma and lean to redesign its manufacturing processes while lowering work capital requirements through lower days of inventory. ...

... "To help implement lean principles and cellular manufacturing, it has three managers certified as Six Sigma green or black belt and are skilled, lean experts. " ...

Via Manufacturing Digital: Photo Etch

PhotoEtch Lean Application in Action (PDF): "The contractors were given thorough training and a set of visual work instructions to eliminate errors. The manufacturing work cell had a takt time of 20 minutes. "

Six Sigma Medical Outcomes

California healthcare system deploys Six Sigma in its quest for medical excellence. The methodology has been customized for health care processes. And, the enterprise is achieving solid improvement results. ...

... "Since introducing Six Sigma in its Southern California medical centers, Providence California has seen across the board improvements in clinical outcomes, care, customer relations, and finance. " ...

Via Health Leader: Six Sigma Tactics

Honeywell Performance Excellence

Honeywell has a Kansas City manufacturing site that was part of its business unit recognition for the 2009 Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award. The company’s customer quality is driven by Six Sigma performance levels and is delivering sustained tangible benefits. ...

... "The combined product quality and reliability performance level has been at 99.9 percent for traditional customers during the past three years. Honeywell’s use of the Six Sigma Plus Continuous Improvement Model resulted in cost savings of $23.5 million to $27 million each of the past three years. " ...

Via Kansas City Business Journal: Honeywell Unit Baldridge Award

Virtua Six Sigma Benefits Healthcare

GE provides advisory services, using Six Sigma methods, to healthcare systems. Virtua has seen significant tangible benefits from its Six Sigma program. ...

... "But that doesn't mean hospitals can't run more efficiently than they do today, as Virtua's case makes clear. The nonprofit chain was one of the first U.S. hospitals to adopt Six Sigma, a system inspired by Japanese auto giant Toyota Motor Corp, named by mobile phone maker Motorola Inc and refined by American industrial giants including GE and Caterpillar Inc. " ...

Via KGMI: Healthcare Improvements

Virtua integrates its Six Sigma problem solving into an employee toolkit. ...

Six Sigma at Virtua Health in New Jersey: "The Six Sigma Tool Kit is a statistical problem-solving approach driven by patient/customer expectations in order to improve business operations. "

The company's Six Sigma program focuses on improving patient care. ...

Virtua Health Six Sigma Improves Patient Care: "Measurable results having a positive impact on patient care, employee morale and the organization's bottom line have been realized through the use of the tool kit ... "

Wistron Six Sigma Governance System

Wistron uses Six Sigma methodology as a governance framework for enabling workforce continuous improvement. ...

... "realizing that the company needed a stronger governing system, he hired a Six Sigma consultant from Motorola. Over the next two years the training revamped everything from the company's design processes to its business management ... " ...

Via Forbes: Contract Manufacturing Leadership

Pre-Fab Lean Production Methods

Project Frog will produce pre-fab school buildings using efficient and effective lean practices. ...

... "The bulk of our secret sauce is in smart design in terms of cleverly using materials. We have instituted some lean production methodologies within our factory, things you might see at General Electric of other big fans of Six Sigma practices. " ...

Via DailyFinance: Project FROG

Six Sigma Collaboration

The next edge in Six Sigma is workforce empowerment through collaboration. A textbook implementation of the methodology could benefit from the community created when teams achieve high performance levels. ...

... "This considerable investment underpins the heart of the Six Sigma, process-driven revolution that became the ultimate strategy for operational excellence. However, today we’ve reached the zenith of transactional gains. " ...

Via Fortune: People power.

State of Mind Leadership

As Six Sigma quality and process efficiency becomes less of a differentiator, understanding the voice of customers, constituencies, and markets will become a critical tool to master. ...

... "In the new normal, says Clifton, the old ways of doing business won't work anymore. The men and women who will conquer this new world will be the ones who best understand their constituencies' state of mind. " ...

Via Gallup: Next Generation Leaders

TRW Automotive Product Quality through Six Sigma Programs

TRW leverages Six Sigma to achieve low defect levels in its product quality. ...

... "This broad portfolio of technologies will serve TRW well as the industry volumes rebound. Our quality and Six Sigma programs ensure recently launched and future products are delivered with world-class quality. During the first nine months of the year our quality averaged approximately six parts per million defects at zero kilometer across all products and customers. This is truly a world-class performance. " ...

Via Seeking Alpha: TRW Automotive Q3 2009 Earnings

At Platinum Supplier Six Sigma Principles Boost Performance Excellence

Evans Capacitor has achieved Platinum-level preferred supplier at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control which enables a world-class supply chain built on excellence and a culture of continuous improvement. Evans Capacitor has progressed through each successive category - Silver, Gold and Platinum - as the company demonstrated higher levels of performance excellence. ...

... "Evans Capacitor entered the Preferred Supplier Program at the Silver level. Since then, they have proven themselves to be a world-class supplier, ensuring 100 percent quality and on-time delivery. As a manufacturer of high density capacitors for defense and aerospace applications, Evans Capacitor is a strategic supplier that supports multiple programs in the Fire Control line of business at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. All of Evans Capacitor’s products are designed and built in-house to rigorous standards of quality and performance. Evans hybrid capacitors are used in phased array radar, laser targeting systems, avionics and other mission critical applications. Located in Rhode Island, Evans reported 2008 sales of over $10 million, and has delivered more than 1,300 components to Lockheed Martin this year. In addition to excellence in design and production, Evans employees adhere to Six Sigma principles. " ...

Via Evans Capacitor: Preferred Supplier Award from Lockheed Martin

Louisiana-Pacific Six Sigma Improvements Drive EBITDA Positive

Louisiana Pacific is seeing strong returns from its investment in Six Sigma program. ...

... "Our leading six sigma efforts continued to provide us cost and process improvements. So far this year we are at somewhat of an astounding rate of 7.6 to 1 in terms of returns over the cost of implementing that program. The big financial news for LP this quarter was of course being adjusted EBITDA positive for the first time in quite awhile. " ...

Via Seeking Alpha: Louisiana-Pacific Q3 2009 Earnings

Hexion Disciplined Six Sigma Improves Business Process

Hexion Specialty Chemicals is recognized with a 2009 Global Six Sigma & Business Improvement Award based on its achievement in deploying Six Sigma for enterprise business improvement in the chemical industry. ...

... "Six Sigma at Hexion is a disciplined, data-driven approach and methodology for eliminating defects in any business process. It provides various methods and tools to associates to examine processes within the business from the customer's perspective, and to improve them to increase efficiency and effectiveness. Hexion has implemented Six Sigma programming across its global organization and has made Six Sigma a core process in its business operations. Its award entry documented various business process improvements, savings and service enhancements resulting from embracing Six Sigma methodology as a way of doing business. " ...

Via Hexion Specialty Chemicals: Global Six Sigma & Business Improvement Award

Six Sigma drives Hexion's plant data reporting and analysis investments (PDF).

Hexion participates in industry efforts in benchmarking and best practice models. ...

Instantis Six Sigma Maturity Model (PDF): "The Six Sigma Maturity Model is a good representation of the journey Hexion has gone through so far in our Six Sigma deployment. My prior experience at multiple Fortune 100 companies also coincides with the model, commented Nipesh Shah corporate vice president of Six Sigma at Hexion Specialty Chemicals, the world’s largest producer of binder, adhesive, coating and ink resins for industrial applications. We look forward to participating in this research effort to get a better sense of how our progress stacks up against our peers. "

Here are some insights into their Six Sigma journey. ...

Via Aberdeen Group's Lean Six Sigma Benchmark Report (PDF): "We went after the best. We took plant managers and individuals who managed quality across the North American continent. They became our Black Belts. It takes time, but after 2 years we had a breakthrough. -Jonathan Squire, Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Inc. "

Air Product Continuous Improvement Executive Position

Air Products places executive level attention on continuous improvement, which includes lean and Six Sigma activities throughout the company. ...

... "Alexander W. Masetti has been appointed vice president, Continuous Improvement, responsible for expanding and institutionalizing Air Products’ overall continuous improvement activity, including capabilities such as Six Sigma and Lean. Masetti joined Air Products in 1981 as an engineer in the company’s Career Development Program and subsequently held management positions within the Process Gas Division. " ...

Via Air Products: Executive Change

Analytics Will Survive Six Sigma

Statistics and analytics are hot. IBM's recent CIO survey highlights analytics and business intelligence to support decision making as top of mind for CIOs. SAS' co-founder John Sall offers his perspective on the quality improvement space. ...

... "As a brand, Six Sigma is not as strong. It overpromised. The brand will fade. The appreciation for analyzing data and experimentation will not. " ...

Via Burns, Chicago Tribune: SAS Sall on Six Sigma

Six Sigma Talent War in Pharma

As the drive for operational efficiency and cycle time to market accelerates, the need for Six Sigma talent increases. In the pharmaceutical industry, commoditized products are quickly transitioned to generic drug manufacturers, who can benefit from the outside-in perspectives of Six Sigma practitioners from other industries. ...

... "Those industries that produce executives who are highly trained in Six Sigma principles and practices may prove to be especially valuable sources of talent. " ...

Via livemint: Leadership challenge

Six Sigma Lite Techniques

Six Sigma is a major commitment for an enterprise: Training black belts. Enlisting champions. Understanding the voice of customers. Testing measurement systems. Identifying critical variable. Solving problems. Sustaining controls. Is there anything simpler, easier, quicker? Here's some suggestions ...

... "The fast track decision making approach, meanwhile, is a rapid problem-solving method developed by the North Shore-LIJ Health System in 2002. " ...

Via Search CIO: Low-cost business process

Organizaton Transformation

The Six Sigma quality program has developed over the years into a enterprise transformation tool. ...

... "Six Sigma has evolved from metric, to methodology, to a catalyst to drive change in the organization. " ...

Via ZDNet Asia: Changing organizations

Zilliant Six Sigma Pricing Review

Six Sigma identifies complex and dysfunctional pricing process and Zilliant provides software solution to the business problem. ...

... "In conducting a Six Sigma review, the building products manufacturer discovered that its pricing process was complex, poorly understood by its workforce, and ultimately relied on heavily undocumented tribal knowledge. This resulted in sales-people offering customers a broad range of prices on similar products, with as many as 50 percent of sales orders transacted below lowest-approved prices. By analyzing the manufacturer's historic sales and order data, Zilliant's solution identified roughly 6,000 price segments. " ...

Via Zilliant: Innovation Insight Award

Zilliant Pricing Solution: "Six months later, the group using Zilliant price points had substantially increased its margin contribution relative to those working as usual. "

Six Sigma Quality for Scale

Six Sigma process is needed to scale products and processes globally while sustaining quality. Design thinking allows a company to adapt and shift its growth strategies. Both methods need to coexist for large enterprises to evolve successfully. ...

... "On a much larger scale, it is unimaginable that Intel could produce a single one of its highly complex semiconductor chips or that Procter & Gamble could deliver laundry detergent of consistent quality globally without these types of analytical techniques. " ...

Via New York Times: Six Sigma and Design Mix

Six Sigma versus Globalization

In the battle of Six Sigma versus globalization, globalization wins at the Pratt & Whitney plant in Indianapolis. ...

... "During a recent tour of the building, Klonoski said he was struck by how clean, bright and jam-packed with machinery the place was. The plant was Six Sigma certified and, he said, workers clearly had pride. " ...

Via The Indianapolis Star: Globalization

CIO Six Sigma Organization

Textron organizes its Six Sigma efforts under the leadership of the Chief Innovation Officer for long-term improvement. ...

... "As Chief Innovation Officer, Walsh will immediately take responsibility for Engineering & Program Management, Information Technology, Integrated Supply Chain and Textron Six Sigma. Walsh, previously the senior vice president and general manager of Lycoming Engines, also a Textron Inc. company, will be focused on driving long-term improvements that foster greater collaboration and innovation across Textron Systems and its five operating units. " ...

Via Textron: Chief Innovation Officer

Six Sigma Excellence at IBM

Mid-September seminar on Six Sigma excellence practiced at IBM ...

... "THURSDAY, SEPT. 17; The Rochester Area Quality Council is hosting a Six Sigma Forum -- Excellence at IBM-Rochester. It will be held at the IBM-Rochester campus from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. " ...

Via Post-Bulletin: Business Calendar

Hospital Lean Six Sigma Drive Savings

Massachusetts hospitals struggle with high costs and use Lean Six Sigma to streamline operations. Even with efficiency savings, the workforce is affected. ...

... "Southcoast has been attentive to the management of costs, effectively flexing our expenses as volumes and our average daily census decreased. We also introduced new tools, such as Lean and Six Sigma, that helped us save several million dollars this year. " ...

Via SouthCoastToday: Hospital restructuring

Six Sigma Affinity Diagram

Six Sigma Improvement at PHH Arval

Upcoming webinar on Six Sigma success story at PHH Arval. ...

... "Learn how PHH Arval combined cutting-edge technology with its Six Sigma-based process-improvement methodology to turn around a key service that was experiencing significant client dissatisfaction. " ...

Via SmartBrief: Best Practices in Operations

Arclin Oregon Plant VOC Reduction Through Six Sigma

Arclin sees significant VOC reduction in its Portland, Oregon plant through the application of Six Sigma improvement methods. ...

... "We routinely apply Six Sigma principles to improve both manufacturing and business practices at our Surfaces operations and we are in the process of expanding its use to the rest of our organization. " ...

Via Arclin: Portland, OR Overlays Plant Reduces VOC Emissions

Multi-Fineline Electronix Lean Six Sigma Quality Improvement Initiatives

Multi-Fineline Electronix is using lean and Six Sigma to drive its quality improvement and sustain its operating execution for targeted results. ...

... "We continue to execute ambitious lean manufacturing and Six Sigma quality improvement initiative. We are also continuing to engage our supply chain and cost reduction activities. The enhancements in our manufacturing and supply chain operations have by and large helped to offset the negative impact on gross margin, resulting from the recent product mix that has a higher material content, along with today's more competitive pricing environment, which has also put pressure on our gross margin. " ...

Via Seeking Alpha: Earnings Call

Stepan Six Sigma Operating Cost Improvements Drive Profitability for Surfactants

Stepan sees revenue decline, but manages cash and profitability well through actions such as Six Sigma operational efficiency. ...

... "Surfactant segment gross profit rose by $12.8 million, or 38 percent, for the quarter and $19.7 million, or 30 percent, for the six months. The improved gross profit was due to declining commodity costs, purchasing led cost reduction initiatives, and lower operating costs due to the success of six sigma teams as well as restructuring activities at one production site. " ...

Via Stepan: Second Quarter and First Half Earnings

Lean Peanut Butter is Six Sigma's Jelly

Lean and Six Sigma are complementary methods, that should be applied where their strengths can have the greatest impact. ...

... "This does not make Ford / Toyota and Six Sigma an either/or choice because the techniques are mutually supporting and synergistic. " ...

Via IndustryWeek: Lessons for Industry

Navy Six Sigma Program

Local leader will deploy Lean Six Sigma to improve the Navy's processes in talent recruiting. ...

... "Ivan D. Bradley has been assigned as the first Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Team Lead for Millington to improve efficiencies and eliminate waste in processes. The Navy Recruiting Command launched the Lean Six Sigma initiative earlier this year. " ...

Via NWTN Today: United States Navy

Honeywell Six Sigma Strategy

Honeywell has institutionalized Six Sigma into its culture and uses the methodology in transactional and manufacturing applications. ...

... "As a strategy, Six Sigma is a way for us to achieve performance breakthroughs. And it encompasses tools from all of our improvement initiatives, including those in Operational, Technical and Customer Excellence. It applies to every function in our company, not just those on the factory floor. " ...

Via Honeywell International: Continually Improving

Green Belt Seminar

Seminar on Six Sigma green belt program is presented this week. ...

... "Wednesday -- The Manufacturer & Business Association will present Six Sigma Green Belt Certification and Implementation, a daylong seminar that focuses on teamwork strategies designed to increase business efficiency. " ...

Via GoErie: Seminars

Six Sigma Career Path to CEO Office

Neuland Labs appoints CEO with Six Sigma experience. ...

... "An MBA from the University of Notre Dame, USA and a Mechanical Engineer by qualification, prior to joining Neuland, Davuluri worked for Cummins Inc. USA in operations and as an expert in Six Sigma for projects ... " ...

Via Pharma Biz: Sucheth Davuluri

Six Sigma Integrates the Value Chain

Six Sigma is key ingredient to positioning Ring Power as an integrated, efficient value chain participant. ...

... "Since mid-2007, though, Ring Power has been able to apply the process to its own operations and organization, creating a continuous improvement culture of its own that meshes with but does not exactly reflect Caterpillar's. " ...

Via Purchasing: Six Sigma

Six Sigma Volunteers Recognized

United Way recognizes Eli Lilly for its commitment to the community. Lilly's Six Sigma professionals donated their expertise to helping non-profits, in addition to the financial support provided by the company. Donating expertise is a visible way to connect with the community and identify the critical few levers that can drive improvements. ...

... "Lilly employees also donated an estimated 5,000 volunteer hours of skills-based Six Sigma expertise to help increase efficiency at area nonprofits and sales employees throughout the US supported their home communities by volunteering in areas of need. " ...

Via Inside Indiana: Eli Lilly

Eli Lilly Six Sigma Program: "Meanwhile, about 400 of our employees worldwide are now working as Six Sigma Black Belts … and a couple thousand more Lilly people are Green Belt-trained. These folks are helping us to take out work and costs … to improve the quality of our products … and to speed up key processes throughout the business. In 2007 alone, the financial benefit of projects completed by our Six Sigma team totaled more than $600 million. "

Multi-Fineline Electronix World-Class Manufacturing through Six Sigma

Flexible circuit manufacturer discusses company performance and the use of quality improvement on its operational efficiency. ...

... "In response to reduced cost and improve our operational performance as a world-class technology manufacturing company, we have initiated ambitious lean-manufacturing and Six Sigma quality improvement initiative. These are expected to enhance our operational performance in both the short and long term. " ...

Via Seeking Alpha: Multi-Fineline Electronix Earnings Call

Multi-Fineline Electronix

Lean Manufacturing Twitter

Process improvement leader shares lean manufacturing anecdotes via Twitter. ...

... "Ponek uses it to connect with other fans of the business management system Sigma Six and the production method known as lean manufacturing. " ...

Via The Press Democrat: Twittering Improvement Ideas

Six Sigma Solution Center Improves Process Variance

Supportsoft management discusses quarterly results and provides insight into the company's internal effort, including the use of Six Sigma to reduce variability in service processes provided to clients from their solution centers. ...

... "In the solution center, key improvements included the following: Establishment of a dual crew of agents who intervene to resolve long calls and identify common issues that lengthen handle times; implementation of skill-based driving to ensure services are directed to properly skilled agents, and launch of a Six Sigma style initiative to identify and resolve process variances and inefficiencies. " ...

Via Seeking Alpha: SupportSoft Earnings Call

Virtua Six Sigma Credit Strength

Fitch affirms strong credit rating for Virtua Health based on managements adoption and rollout of Six Sigma improvement methods. Six Sigma has improved the company's operating performance and profit margins have expanded. ...

... "Virtua's operating results in recent years show a marked improvement over the earlier part of the decade, when Virtua's operating margins ranged from 4% to (-0.4%) in years 2000 to 2004. Much of the improvement in operational performance is attributed by management to its use of GE management tools (Six Sigma, Best People, Workouts). Virtua was one of the original organizations to adopt GE's management tools in a health care setting, and Fitch views Virtua's management's adoption of and ongoing commitment to these tools as a credit strength. " ...

Via PR: Fitch Rates Virtua Health A

Remington Lean Six Sigma Progress

Remington Arms Company discusses company results and shares their focus on manufacturing productivity with Lean Six Sigma. ...

... "We continue to focus heavily on the company’s manufacturing operations. I am pleased to report ongoing progress in lean manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives as they have continued to improve productivity and quality. " ...

Via Remington Arms: 3Q Transcript (doc)

Six Sigma Healthcare Optimizes Availability

Healthcare industry transformation benefits from Six Sigma methodology to improve the patient experience. ...

... "Six Sigma best management principles are guiding the company’s initiatives, Kief said. Currently, the focus is on creating greater same-day availability for a patient to see his or her doctor, if sick ... " ...

Via Northwood News: Healthcare providers

SGL Six Sigma Benefits

Analysis of SGL Group's performance ... The company is expecting significant benefits from its Six Sigma efforts. ...

... "Cost reduction based on the six sigma initiative is calculated at EUR 26 mn. " ...

Via BolsaMania: Anaysis of SGL

Green Belt Course

Upcoming course work for green belt in Six Sigma ...

... "The program follows the American Society for Quality (ASQ) recommended Body of Knowledge with comprehensive training material that also serves as an excellent reference for subsequent learning and review. " ...

Via Idaho Business Review: Six Sigma

Merck Six Sigma

Merck announces blockbuster pharmaceutical industry acquisition, but expect the CEO to leverage Six Sigma methods to achieve and sustain operating efficiency synergies. ...

... "His background was in manufacturing and operations, his mantra: Six Sigma -- a system to lower costs and improve efficiency ... " ...

Via Reuters: Merck CEO

Six Sigma Strategic Cost Cutting

Petrochemical company, Equate, sees positive performance in 2008 and leverages Six Sigma to identify strategic sources of operational efficiency. ...

... "One way to define areas for improvement and enhance our strengths, EQUATE continues executing its Six Sigma program with a target to qualify more persons in addition to the 23 green belt holders who were certified in 2008. " ...

Via Zawya: EQUATE 2008 performance

Flowserve Six Sigma CIP

Flowserve focuses its Lean Six Sigma program on activities that will improve the customer experience, increase productivity, and expand margins. ...

... "We continue to focus on improving on-time delivery and quality, while reducing warranty costs as a percentage of sales across our global operations, through the assistance of a focused Continuous Improvement Process (CIP) initiative. The goal of the CIP initiative, which includes lean manufacturing, six sigma business management strategy and value engineering, is to maximize service fulfillment to customers through on-time delivery, reduced cycle time and quality at the highest internal productivity. This program is a key factor in our margin expansion plans. " ...

Via Flowserve Corporation: 10K SEC Filing

GE Immelt Six Sigma Leadership

GE CEO Immelt sees 2009 as an opportunity to exhibit real leadership. ...

... "Is Mr. Immelt a Six Sigma expert, or Black Belt as they're called? No, he confessed. I never was. " ...

Via Washington Times: Jeffrey Immelt, GE

Six Sigma Market Differentiation

Competitors jockey for market position in the real estate market as leaders tout Six Sigma methods as a talent differentiator. ...

... "In addition, we have added a consulting department of Six Sigma black belts from places like FedEx, and they augment the strategy in the areas of workplace efficiency and utilization plus logistics. " ...

Via New York Observer: Market Performance

The Lean Investment Pays Offs

Investment in productivity initiatives, such as Lean and Six Sigma, help position companies for better performance through the peaks and valleys of the business cycle. ...

... "Toyota's margins were higher because it invested heavily in automated production systems and lean manufacturing initiatives over many years and, as a result, was much better positioned to weather the current crisis than its American competitors. Investing in yourself -- especially when your competitors can't -- usually leads to a payoff down the road. " ...

Via Motley Fool: Get Better In a Recession

China Six Sigma Process Management

China cosmetics business uses Six Sigma in its processes to drive customer quality and satisfaction. This relentless focus on the customer has enabled powerful growth rates. ...

... "And his Six Sigma process management has leveraged the group to double its turnover every two years in Hong Kong and rake in an impressive year-on-year 41 percent growth in revenue in 2008. " ...

Via China Daily: Chinese mainland

Lean Operations Team Implements Six Sigma

Starwood implements lean and Six Sigma at its hotels to create operational efficiency and drive cost savings to the bottom line. ...

... "Our bottom up approach is called Lean Operations, and it includes using our talent onsite to reduce work and waste. And just to give you a sense of detail, here are a couple of examples. We refined our staffing model to match work to demand. We also outsourced bakers and butchers. And we expanded spans of control for managers and supervisors. The Lean Operations team is working closely with our six sigma teams to implement these productivity enhancements across our hotels. " ...

Via Seeking Alpha: Starwood Hotels

Six Sigma Pros Are Satisfied at Vought

Vought Aircraft's experience with lean strategies and Six Sigma, through its Vought Operating System, creates an environment that satisfies the career needs of Six Sigma professionals. The company is recognized as ranking No. 2 on the Top 10 list of Best Places to Work for Six Sigma pros. ...

... "Companies were ranked by totaling the scores from the two surveys. The greatest weight was given to the employee portion, which asked questions in five main categories: job satisfaction, culture, compensation/rewards and recognition, training and career development, and net promoter score (NPS). Of these categories, job satisfaction was weighted as being the most important. In just two years, 209 Vought employees have completed the Six Sigma green belt training, with 77 receiving certification. Twenty-three employees went on to become black belts. Projected savings of all black and green belt projects combined exceeds $25 million. " ...

Via Vought Aircraft: Second in Nation for Six Sigma Professionals


Vought Corsair ...

Cabot Micro Six Sigma Productivity Gains

Cabot uses Six Sigma to reduce variation and improve yield on products to drive growth. ...

... "Our activities, and I’ve stopped talking about this because I got bored talking about it, but we really have a robust and strong six sigma approach to how we go after variability reduction in yield improvement and quality improvement and we think that’s taking hold on the cost side. " ...

Via Seeking Alpha: Cabot Microelectronics Corp. Earnings Call

GreenBelts Deliver Six Sigma Benefits

Crown Equipment invests in Six Sigma training and the company's green belt workforce delivers tangible benefits with more planned. ...

... "Somewhat counter to initial expectations, for instance, has been the finding that the bulk of the $1.5 million of savings has come from Green Belt activities ... " ...

Via Manufacturing Business Technology: Six Sigma payoff

Lean Six Sigma Strategic Direction

Canadian healthcare institution assesses the current environment and adjusts its direction to higher quality and operational efficiency that benefits customers. ...

... "Our new strategic direction will involve an increased reliance on Lean Health care and Six Sigma methods aimed at eliminating waste and needless expenses, and then passing on those cost savings to our customers ... " ...

Via Manitowoc Herald Times: Challenges

Cost of Quality Moves Up the Value Stream

Expect manufacturers to put pressure on their suppliers to eliminate defects throughout the value stream in order to achieve Six Sigma quality levels. ...

... "Manufacturers applying Six Sigma and Lean are eager to remove waste completely from their value streams, which includes avoiding the production of defective materials in the first place, states John Fishell, director of product management ... " ...

Via Purchasing: Quality

Six Sigma Sales and Marketing Mobility

3M ESPE Brazil implements Antenna Software mobile solution for CRM to enable improvements in its sales and marketing performance. ...

... "3M ESPE Brazil also relied heavily upon its internal, Six Sigma and New System Implementation (NSI) methodologies for the planning and execution of the overall mobility project, which dovetailed with Antenna's implementation process. " ...

Via MSNBC: 3M ESPE Brazil Sales and Marketing Performance

Six Sigma Supply Chain Visibility

Manufacturers will shift their strategies to more efficient supply chains and will enable Six Sigma improvement programs through line-of-sight visibility to performance. ...

... "Pike argues supply chain visibility is becoming even more critical with the merging of lean manufacturing and six sigma drivers, which seek to identify and remove the causes of defects and errors in manufacturing processes. " ...

Via Logistics, Australia: Adaptive Supply Chain

NBC Six Sigma Retooling

NBC is using Six Sigma to improve its processes in the TV network space and has positioned itself for a transformation versus its peers. ...

... "they are clearly retooling NBC in the Six Sigma spirit that parent General Electric pioneered - streamlining, cutting costs, and maximizing efficiency in every minute aspect of their production and distribution processes. " ...

Via Seeking Alpha: TV Networks

China Six Sigma Quality Next

Chinese products are differentiated by their low cost, but not for their high quality. However, globalization is accelerating the need for quality management processes, such as Six Sigma, in China's manufacturing industry. Continuous improvement will go a long way towards improving the reputation of products sourced from China. ...

... "China made its mark in the business world by supplying low cost products -- not top quality products. Essentially, says Carter, China has never been given a reason to strive for six sigma precision, until now. " ...

Via Knowledge @ W.P. Carey: Chinese Product Recalls

Vectron Six Sigma Manufacturing

Vectron practices lean and Six Sigma to improve its manufacturing process and product quality. In doing so, it embraces the methodology and creates a enterprise variant that works in its culture. ...

... "The facility has adopted lean manufacturing practices such as Kaizen and Six Sigma methods, all with an eye toward continuous facility and product improvement. The company follows a 16-point plan that has cut manufacturing cycle times in half compared to earlier attempts to reduce overall production times. " ...

Via Vectron: Frequency Control

Healthcare CEO Six Sigma Methods

Executive leverages Six Sigma methods in the healthcare industry and advances his career through continuous improvement achievements. ...

... "He is credited with bringing Six Sigma scientific management methodologies in conjunction with other innovative technologies to improve overall capacity management at Mercy Hospital. Under his leadership, Mercy Hospital was able to reduce discharge time by 23 percent, reduce bad debt by 11 percent, increase cash flow, and improve associate satisfaction at the hospital. " ...

Via : Bertrand Chaffee Hospital

Six Sigma Tax Process Uses VOC

The European Union Chamber of Commerce in Korea recognizes government entities for their efficiency and stewardship ...

... "Six sigma quality is applied to make tax assessments more accurate, and the Voice of Customer (VOC) system is in place to listen to taxpayer complaints and transform them into a foundation for directing administrative policies. " ...

Via Korean Times: Korean Government

GE Six Sigma Does Not Translate Well

General Electric Six Sigma has not translated easily to other companies where GE alumni have migrated and its disciplined approach does not mesh well with new product innovations. ...

... "It was going to take Six Sigma to standardize our processes, like Metamucil; make us regular, make us predictable, pacified and of course, profitable. So, without trying I can count on both hands and feet the number of former GE’ers who flopped miserably at managing, and failed to bring about the joyous resurrection they had been anointed for, at ALL levels of organization. " ...

Via Product Design and Development: New Product Development, NPD

Google Six Sigma Efficiency

Google embraces efficiency strategies to leverage its maturing growth rates to the bottom line. New CFO bring Six Sigma mentality to the process. ...

... "Google recently hired a new chief financial officer, Patrick Pichette. Trained in Six Sigma management practices -- a rigid quality-control system designed to eliminate waste -- Mr. Pichette is looking to reduce inefficiencies and delay spending when possible. " ...

Via Wall Street Journal: Google Plans for Tough Times

Lean Seminar

Learn lean at lunch next week ...

... "Lunch and Learn Seminar: Lean Manufacturing/Six Sigma. Kight Center for Emerging Technologies, IRSC Main Campus, Fort Pierce, Room V309, 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m., Dec. 3. " ...

Via TCPalm: Looking ahead

GE Six Sigma Service Contracts

GE Power Systems applies Six Sigma methods to create a more predictable service model for steam turbines. ...

... "Using rigorous Six Sigma quality processes, the development team performed an extensive statistical analysis to create a modeling tool allowing for a set of detailed recommendations regarding time between outages, scope of work required at each outage and parts replacement intervals. " ...

Via The FINANCIAL Channel: Service Agreement Program

Six Sigma Business Transformation

Tenneco Six Sigma to Weather Economic Storm

Tenneco is implementing aggressive actions to adjust its operating expenses, lower working capital requirements, and improve workforce productivity. The company will use Six Sigma and lean methods to accelerate operational efficiency. ...

... "Accelerate working capital improvement opportunities; Implement targeted reductions in capital spending; Step up its Six Sigma and Lean manufacturing initiatives to drive greater manufacturing efficiencies and costs savings; Significantly reduce and re-prioritize information technology (IT) spending; " ...

Via Tenneco: AGGRESSIVE ACTIONS TO SIZE ITS GLOBAL OPERATIONS TO CHANGING MARKET CONDITIONS

Six Sigma Mentoring

ISSSC taps top talent for mentoring and outreach role. ...

... "Esau’s main role is to support ISSSC’s customers with training, mentoring and implementation of Six Sigma and other Quality Process Improvements to help them achieve consistent top quality for their service and products and reduce costs. He is also leading the training for the Cincinnati Six Sigma User Group and teaches public Six Sigma courses in the tri-state area and abroad. " ...

Via International Society for Six Sigma Certifications: Seasoned Six Sigma Professional

Continuous Improvement Culture

76th Aircraft Maintenance Group embraces Six Sigma and lean as it trains its workforce, energizes the staff, and focuses on the identification of improvement opportunities. ...

... "Identifying key administrative wastes and the constraints limiting an organization’s performance, analyzing potential root-causes and applying the proper continuous-improvement countermeasures are critical, Mr. Williams explained. " ...

Via Tinker TakeOff: Transformation

Six Sigma Sustainability Impact

Caterpillar's Six Sigma competence is leveraged to drive sustainability goals. ...

... "Projects implemented by Six Sigma teams focused on heating efficiency, more efficient lighting and control of equipment and can be replicated across the globe at Caterpillar facilities ... " ...

Via Reliable Plant: Six Sigma at Caterpillar

Why Do Six Sigma?: "Caterpillar, a Fortune 100 company located in Peoria, had adopted Six Sigma in 2001 and introduced it to its vendors. "

Hospital Six Sigma Triage

Six Sigma shows success in a number of industries, including healthcare where this Buffalo area hospital reduces cycle time using the methodology. ...

... "Kaleida Health System has put Six Sigma to work at Millard Filmore Suburban Hospital in Amherst, to reduce the amount of time patients spend in the emergency department. The goal was to move them to the next level of care or have them treated so they could go home .. " ...

Via he Buffalo News: Six Sigma

Six Sigma Analysis

Demonstration of monte carlo simulation used in Six Sigma analysis ...

Automotive Supplier Six Sigma

A group of UK automotive suppliers collaborate to learn and adopt Six Sigma methodology. Benefits achieved enable the development of new business. ...

... "She said that 16 people had now been certified as Six Sigma Green Belts and they would go back into their respective companies and implement what they had learned. " ...

Via Birmingham Post: New business through Six Sigma

Quality System Registration

Parker Hannifin Chomerics Division achieves AS9100B registration for products manufactured at its Woburn, Massachusetts; Hudson, New Hampshire; and Jalisco (Guadalajara), Mexico plants. AS9100B is an international quality system standard. ...

... "According to Chomerics Division Quality Manager David Quaglieri, Achieving AS9100B registration demonstrates Chomerics’ ongoing commitment to quality and continuous improvement, which includes the use of lean manufacturing techniques and the tools of six sigma. Building on the ISO 9001:2000 platform, AS9100B places greater emphasis on design and process control, product configuration management, purchasing and supply chain processes. " ...

Via Parker Hannifin Corporation: Chomerics AS9100B

Six Sigma Benefits Exceed Expectations

Benefits are accelerating in Six Sigma government implementation. ...

... "Deputy County Executive Al Hammonds said the program will have met that goal, and then some, by years-end. " ...

Via wgrz Buffalo: Erie County Six Sigma

Erie County: "Al Hammonds is currently the Director of Six Sigma, a position that was created in January through an efficiency grant from New York State. The key initiative of the Collins' administration, Six Sigma is being implemented in county departments to help cut waste and drive efficiency. "

Six Sigma Healthcare Excellence

Six Sigma White Belt

Six Sigma Culture

Companies see tangible financial benefits accrue through adoption of Six Sigma methods and integrating continuous improvement techniques into the workforce culture. ...

... "The company has the potential to save $370,000 on two projects it has done so far, and plans to make Six Sigma part of the Geddes steel maker's culture, he said. " ...

Via Syracuse dot com: Six Sigma savings

Hormel Six Sigma Leadership Evolution

Hormel announces orderly transition of leadership, including Six Sigma leader role. ...

... "Scott R. Christensen has been named director of industrial engineering and Six Sigma, effective Oct. 27, 2008. Christensen started with Hormel Foods in 1980 as an industrial engineer in the Austin, Minn., Plant. He received several promotions as an industrial engineer and, in 1988, was named staff industrial engineer. In 1989, he was named senior manufacturing engineer at Jennie-O Foods and, in 1996, was named director of grain merchandising and ingredient purchasing for Jennie-O Foods. In 1999, he was named manager of industrial engineering at the Austin Plant and, in 2002, he was promoted to Six Sigma project manager. In 2004, he was promoted to manager of Six Sigma and, in 2007, he was promoted to corporate manager of Six Sigma. " ...

Via Hormel Foods: Executive Retirements and Advancements

Ingersoll Rand Six Sigma Benefits

Ingersoll Rand Indianapolis plant adopts Six Sigma improvement methods and shifts its performance in order to compete effectively. Local government agencies have invested in the site's transformation through educational grants. ...

... "The plant keeps up with cutting-edge trends in manufacturing, such as maintaining zero inventory and applying the Six Sigma quality improvement process. Schostek said such changes have helped cut the division's average time from receipt of an order to delivery of the final product from 10 weeks about 15 years ago to only four days now. " ...

Via The Indianapolis Star: Ingersoll Rand

Pall Lean Process Excellence

Pall adopts lean practices to enable its process excellence journey. ...

... "Pall developed Process Excellence, an approach to applying lean and Six Sigma methodologies, complete with effective metrics and ways to engage employees. In 2004, a push began at the Fajardo, Puerto Rico, facility to transform it into the company's first Center of Excellence. " ...

Via Pall: Profile in Process Excellence

Regional Six Sigma Perspectives

Collins Six Sigma on Government

Chris Collins shares his Six Sigma experiences at the Republican Convention. ...

... "Collins explained his use of Six Sigma makes government more accountable and responsive to residents' needs ... " ...

Via WBEN 930: GOP Convention

Six Sigma Certificate Program

Upcoming information session on Six Sigma certification ...

... "The Office of Continuing Studies at N.C. State University and the Central N.C. Section of the American Society for Quality are sponsoring a Six Sigma certificate-program. An information session will be held at 6 p.m. Aug. 25 ... " ...

Via Winston-Salem Journal: Business Calendar

Six Sigma for Service Companies

Six Sigma can be applied successfully to non-manufacturing, or service firms. The process, the committment, and the passion is the same. The defects are different. ...

... "Six Sigma can be implemented by companies of any type and size. No matter what kind of company you run, the process for implementing Six Sigma is the same. " ...

Via Inc: Ask Bob Galvin