Factory Future Now

The future of manufacturing is moving past lean to adaptive manufacturing, intelligent automation, sensor networks, and new models for collaboration across the value chain. ...

... "What kinds of technology will enable an adaptive manufacturing environment? Machine vision is an important example of the sort of technology that is converting manufacturing into an information-based process. " ...

Via CIO: The Future Factory

Logistics Six Sigma Savings: 3M Brazil

3M will outsource pallet management to CHEP, trasitioning from exchange pallets. Using the Six Sigma DMAIC process, 3M validates significant room for improvement in its pallet operation. It expects to realize benefits with potential cost reductions for transportation and storage. ...

... "To determine whether CHEP services were appropriate for the company's operations, 3M used Six Sigma processes, solicited feedback from wholesale and superstore retail customers and conducted a comprehensive reference call at the Brazilian facilities of a leading global consumer products company. During the review process, managers identified a chance to decrease loss of pallets and reduce the quantity of renewed equipment derived by costumer returns. " ...

Via CHEP: 3M Brazil Sees Cost Savings With CHEP Program

CHEP is the global leader in pallet and container pooling services serving many of the world's largest companies. The company has more than 7,700 employees and operates in 44 countries. Combining superior technology and an asset base of more than 280 million pallets and containers, CHEP offers its customers exceptional value, a platform that enables reduction in customer product damage, and an environmentally sustainable logistical solution. Supply chains served include consumer goods, produce, beverage, and the automotive industry. With global partners that include Procter & Gamble, SYSCO, Kellogg's, Kraft, Nestle, Ford and GM, CHEP is known for Handling the World's Most Important Products. Everyday.

3M Brazil uses a number of management methods in its operations, such as theory of constraints in its supply chain. ...

Via AGI-Goldratt Institute: TOC World 2000 Video Presentations: "3M Brazil successfully applies the Theory of Constraints to their Sales and Operational Plan (SOP) to define their ideal sales mix in terms of addressing the market, the impact on production, and to evaluate the impact on their bottom line. "

In addition to its efficiency focus, 3M Brazil focuses on sustainability in its manufacturing operations. Its skills in pollution prevention are showcased here. ...

3P Examples: "3P team from 3M Brazil's Itapetininga facility replaced the solvent-based paper treatment process the plant used to manufacture packaging, medical and masking tapes with a new, water-based process. As a result of this change, the facility reduced solvent emissions by over 45 tons per year. "

Lean Value Chain Efficiency

Local manufacturers in mining industry use lean manufacturing techniques in their value chain to drive efficiencies. ...

... "Lean manufacturing has done a lot for the company in two years, Raffaelli said. Assembly time for a telehandler has been cut roughly in half to 16 hours. Assembly line stations are down to five from 11. " ...

Via The Daily Mining Gazette: Terex Handlers implementing lean manufacturing ...

Kaizen Supply Chain ...

Supply chain successes discussed ...

... "Siemens changed the way it did business by adopting kaizen techniques and total quality management. This is a shining example of how changed supply chain methodologies can actually influence the bottom line and increase the company’s value. " ...

Supply Chains: Reinventions, Successes, and Failures ...

Huntsman SixSigma: Order-to-Cash Efficiency ...

... "SunGard announced that Huntsman Corporation has selected its AvantGard GETPAID Order-to-Cash solution to help improve efficiency and productivity in support of its Six Sigma initiatives. Huntsman, a global manufacturer of commodity chemicals, is integrating AvantGard GETPAID with its SAP enterprise system to help improve cash flow and reduce operating expenses. AvantGard GETPAID helps customers to improve control of financial performance and operational efficiency contributing to working capital optimization.

The Order-To-Cash process links key activities in the financial value chain, including credit analysis and approval, cash collections, dispute resolution, cash application, and financial analysis and reporting. Historically, these operations have been highly inefficient due to the lack of automated and integrated systems for Order-to-Cash management. Effective management of accounts receivable is a critical area to target for process improvements as it is a key driver of cash, cost containment and customer relationships. Business process optimization through quality initiatives such as Six Sigma can help revitalize companies and produce bottom-line results. Fine-tuning processes around the treatment of trade receivables helps yield ROI improvements as evidenced through lower DSO, reduced bad debt expense, interest expense savings and increased productivity. " ...

Huntsman SixSigma: Order-to-Cash Efficiency: Via SunGard: SunGard's AvantGard GETPAID to Help Huntsman Corporation to Manage Growth and Improve Operational Efficiency

Lean Manufacturing: SPC Statistical Process Control Software ...

InfinityQS launches eSPC, hosted SPC application that uses a shared, secure database to enable supply chain quality control in a lean manufacturing program. ...

... "Companies can now collect and analyze data across the enterprise—not only at separate locations, said Ralph Rio, Research Director, ARC Advisory Group. When supply chain elements are analyzed and the results shared in real time, business performance increases with a positive impact on the balance sheet, P&L statement and shareholder value. Ralph continued, Many company's continuous improvement programs, like Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma, are stalled. They need software solutions, like hosted SPC, to take their program to the next level. eSPC is fully customizable for even the most complex manufacturing environments, similar to InfinityQS' other products. Its extensive reporting capabilities allow for hundreds of customized charts and graphs, both at the plant level and the enterprise level. Its Web-based platform is always-on, allowing users to re-configure the system as often as required without interrupting performance. eSPC allows for robust system performance levels—large graphic components are downloaded to each on-site desktop client, eliminating the need for data to reload each time the displays are updated. " ...

Lean Manufacturing: SPC Statistical Process Control Software: Via InfinityQS: InfinityQS Launches eSPC: Industry Leading Statistical Process Control (SPC) Software Delivered Via the Web For Enterprise-Wide Visibility and Supply Chain Quality Management ...

Business Transformation Through Six Sigma Methodology ...

Nortel business transformation will be supported by use of Six Sigma methodology. ...

... "The company's Business Transformation plan is focused on simplifying Nortel's business, improving quality, reducing direct and indirect costs, and generating new revenues. It is designed to address the company's biggest operational challenges and comprises six key areas: Services, Supply Chain Effectiveness, Revenue Stimulation (including Sales and Pricing), R&D Effectiveness, General and Administrative Effectiveness, Organization & Workforce Effectiveness. The Business Transformation teams consist of top-performing employees specifically chosen to lead and support the efforts. These activities will be further supported by implementation of the Six Sigma quality programs and broad employee engagement initiatives. " ...

Business Transformation Through Six Sigma Methodology: Via Nortel: Nortel Announces Short-Term Priorities to Build Shareholder Value ...

Lean Strategy Takes Time ...

Report shows the benefits of Lean, but implementing the strategy takes time ...

... "The benefits are clear, but manufacturers adopting Lean strategies must be in it for the long haul because pervasive use of Lean processes and the resulting performance improvement take time, according to the results of Aberdeen's survey. " ...

Lean Strategy Takes Time: The Lean Strategies Benchmark Report: Manufacturing Excellence Moves to the Value Chain by Infor Global Solutions - Analyst Report - Via InformationWeek White Papers

Six Sigma: Cessna Success ...

Cessna Aircraft Company leader, Jack Pelton, discusses the company's success and achievements in 2005, enabled by its Lean Six Sigma program. ...

... "He attributed the year's success to a world class Cessna team, award winning customer support, a broad product line that is responsive to the marketplace, emerging global markets, and implementation of lean manufacturing processes. During the year, Cessna delivered 249 Citation jets, 822 single engine pistons, and 86 Caravan single-engine turboprops; won FAA certification for two new jets -- the CJ1+ and CJ2+; and built its order book up to 788 jets and 1,198 single engine aircraft with a total value of $6.3 billion. The company also achieved significant refinement of its processes through implementation of the Textron Six Sigma Lean program, resulting in a more efficient, leaner company. " ...

Six Sigma: Cessna Success: Via Cessna: Remarkable Gains, Significant Achievements for Cessna in 2005 ...



Textron Six Sigma: "Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) is one of the three major elements of Textron Six Sigma, and the one that's most directly tied to meeting customer requirements. Through DFSS, we identify what our customers need and deliver it better than anyone else. It's a proven way to develop top quality products, services and processes right the first time, faster, and at a much lower cost. At Textron, we are combining the key principles of DFSS with a common method for designing all new products and services across the enterprise. "

Textron Annual Report: "The next step is Textron Six Sigma, a company-wide approach to improving our processes and delighting our customers through improved enterprise excellence. Textron's unique Six Sigma model is a comprehensive, common set of tools and techniques rigorously applied to all operating and functional areas to eliminate waste, reduce variability, and accelerate growth and innovation. While the concept of Six Sigma is not new, our unique combination of best practices and powerful methodologies into a single, holistic approach makes Textron Six Sigma the most important improvement process at Textron. "

Peter N. Riley, Senior Vice President Textron Six Sigma, Integrated Supply Chain and Transformation: "Peter N. Riley is senior vice president, Textron Six Sigma, integrated supply chain and transformation. In this role, Riley works closely with all Textron business units to continue the rapid deployment of critical enterprise-wide processes and systems to improve business performance and ensure the achievement of Textron's vision. He is also responsible for driving Textron's efforts to leverage its purchasing power and improve manufacturing processes across and among its business units. "

Lean Manufacturing: Microsoft Roadshow in Europe ...

Microsoft and partners sponsor manufacturing roadshow in Europe to share experiences, such as lean manufacturing and other methods of driving peak performance. ...

... "Microsoft EMEA announced the launch of the Peak Performance Road Show, a series of two-day conference exhibitions wholly focused on the manufacturing sector for CxO and line-of-business executives. The events will take place in cities across Europe between March and June 2006, starting in Munich, Germany, on 13 and 14 March.

Executive attendees will have the opportunity to hear presentations from industry experts, thought leaders and analysts. They will also have the chance to debate current industry issues with their peers and address the challenges that manufacturers from all industries are experiencing: how to reduce new-product development time while continuing to innovate; how to improve the performance of complex plant floor operations; how to obtain a real-time view of the global value chain and achieve lean manufacturing goals; and how to gain a complete view of sales and customer service channels. " ...

Lean Manufacturing: Microsoft Roadshow in Europe: Via Microsoft: Microsoft and Team of Industry Leaders to Host European Manufacturing Road Show: Peak Performance events to bring industry experts and leading manufacturers together to learn from each other ...

Additional Microsoft resources on lean manufacturing ...

Via Microsoft: Automating Lean Manufacturing Process Design Using the Microsoft Office System: "A lean manufacturing process design solution can help organizations reduce lean manufacturing implementation costs, improve collaboration surrounding lean manufacturing implementation, and enhance progress tracking for lean improvement projects. Based on the Microsoft Office System, a lean manufacturing process design solution can be deployed quickly with minimal training costs. "

Via Microsoft: Manufacturers increase profits with Microsoft technology: "Employees at each level of the manufacturing process must have the information and tools they need to support lean manufacturing, and these tools must work together to integrate and enhance the planning, analysis, implementation, and reporting of the lean manufacturing cycle. "

Via eBECS: eBECS pioneer Lean Manufacturing suite for Microsoft Business Solutions – Axapta: "Lean Manufacturing. This is the ability to establish manufacturing cells where downstream triggers pull kanbans through the supply chain. Cells are loaded with orders from Lean ordering and other sources with extensive usage of visual techniques for execution.

Lean Supply Replenishment. While similar to Lean Manufacturing, this module provides functionality which extends electronic kanbans out to suppliers. Lean Supply Replenishment supports everything from simple email kanbans to email alerts for secure website schedule and call-off support. It also handles pulling materials from a central warehouse where the practicality of serving multiple points on a shopfloor makes that appropriate. Both also enable more sophisticated kanban triggers, like backflushing for materials consumption and monitoring bin weigh scales on production cells. "

Kaizen: Solectron Lean Sourcing ...

Lean eletronic manufacturer Solectron uses a centralized purchasing model for global strategic sourcing of its $9B annual spend on materials. It uses kaizen throughout the supply-side value chain to drive out waste. This kaizen approach to procurement benefits Solectron and the suppliers. ...

... "Waste not, want not. In fact, Solectron has already done more than 1,000 kaizen events with suppliers to identify areas of waste that can be eliminated in Solectron's or the supplier's business processes. Eliminating waste is a key part of Lean manufacturing. As Solectron moves to Lean, it plans to consolidate more business with fewer suppliers so it can tap into the expertise of suppliers. Commodity teams evaluate the performance of suppliers based on input from Solectron sites. " ...

Kaizen: Solectron Lean Sourcing: Via Purchasing: Lean drives Solectron's sourcing ...

Manufacturing Intelligence Software Evolution ...

Report explores the evolution of manufacturing intelligence software and the benefits of plant to business integration: visibility. ...

... "The ability to unlock the operational data that would empower plant managers and executives to make informed, timely decisions has eluded many companies until relatively recently. However, a new generation of MES (manufacturing execution systems) and manufacturing intelligence systems is enabling the collection, presentation, and analysis of critical, real-time data to decision makers throughout the enterprise and the supply chain. " ...

Manufacturing Intelligence Software Evolution: Via Aberdeen Group: Manufacturing Transparency: Turning Visibility into Value ...

Software Supports Manufacturing Agility ...

Newest release of manufacturing execution software (MES) supports agile and adaptable manufacturing models where market requirements are in a constant state of change. ...

... "FlexNet is a highly pliable execution software that can be deployed stand-alone or to extend the value of an organization's ERP, CRM, PLM or other business systems. The software is both a broad strategic operations execution platform that ties together the diverse activities of a manufacturer's operations, as well as a modular suite of applications that can be deployed as needed to provide a tightly coordinated manufacturing solution. Built for Adaptability, Agility: FlexNet 9.3 has been built for adaptive manufacturing, an emerging strategy driven by operations execution systems that provide the flexibility, visibility and integration required to support constantly changing business requirements. The results are optimal efficiency, quality and responsiveness, which can translate into higher profitability and customer satisfaction. " ...

Software Supports Manufacturing Agility: Via Apriso Corporation: APRISO CORPORATION ANNOUNCES FLEXNET VERSION 9.3: Newest Version of Widely Used Software Provides Greater Manufacturing Agility, Adaptability ...

Additional resources on manufacturing agility:

Via Control Engineering - Role of Controls in Product Lifecycle Management: "Moreover, as an enabler for working collaboratively in the early stages of product development, digital manufacturing enables design and automation engineers to work together to quickly develop designs that can be manufactured most readily and economically within the available production facilities. Such integrated systems also support greater manufacturing agility, giving companies greater flexibility in changing operations according to shifting demands of competition and customer preference."

OUTLOOK 2005: Integration & Data Master: Via Managing Automation: "The goal for every commercial offering is to simplify the integration effort, lower cost and enable business and manufacturing agility. And everywhere you turn a vendor has an integrated solution sell for you. "

Via NEMI: GenRad Product Commercializes Technologies from NEMI’s Plug And Play Factory Project: "The adoption of NEMI's FIS standards could greatly reduce the amount of time it takes to integrate new equipment and software systems into the manufacturing supply chain. This capability is critical for maintaining manufacturing agility as well as for increasing the efficiency of shop floor operations, stated John Cartwright, co-chair of the NEMI FIS TIG and manager of Factory Information Systems at Intel."

Value Chain Blueprint: BSC Alternative ...

Value Chain Blueprint: BSC Alternative: Overview on business process integration

... "a new approach to performance management, value chain blueprint (it does a better job in assessing intangible assets than balanced scorecard) " ...

Xerox Global Process Improvement: Six Sigma ...

Xerox leverages Lean Six Sigma as competitive advantage in their marketplace, extending its use in their value chain to drive global process improvement. ...

Xerox Global Process Improvement: Six Sigma: Via Xerox: Xerox CEO Says Color, Services, Partnerships are Keys to Drive Growth, Customer Value: New services for large enterprises, products for small businesses; OfficeMax signs $18 million contract ...

... "To expand its leadership position, Mulcahy said Xerox has placed top priority on improving all kinds of customer interactions. A series of Xerox Lean Six Sigma projects has been launched to make it easier and more effective to work with Xerox. Global process improvements are under way in areas such as account management, billing, and customer support. " ...

Six Sigma Productivity Advancement: Dupont Actions Drive Value

Dupont leverages their Six Sigma heritage and SAP ERP information technology foundation to drive to new levels of value through the advancement of productivity. ...

Six Sigma Productivity Advancement: Dupont Actions Drive Value: Via DuPont: DuPont Announces Actions To Increase Shareholder Value ...

... "Productivity Advancement: DuPont will accelerate work already underway to standardize and simplify its operating processes and will reduce its functional support costs to externally-benchmarked top-quartile standards. This work will make full utilization of the investment in new state-of-the-art information technology for business and financial systems (SAP) implemented over the past five years. Building on its well-established Six Sigma base, the focus will include lean global supply chain practices to strengthen service, reduce costs and reduce inventory. Chief Operating Officer Richard Goodmanson will manage the process, with quarterly external progress reports. " ...

Kaizen Focus: Lean and Efficient

The Solectron Production System leverages lean manufacturing and Kaizen techniques to drive operational efficiency. Karl Schoenberger explores Solectron's kaizen approach and the implications on the company and the value chain it operates within ...

Kaizen Focus: Lean and Efficient: Via MercuryNews: Kaizen: Japanese philosophy gives Solectron focus

... "Even if kaizen succeeds in transforming Solectron's top layer of contract manufacturing, there are questions about how far down the food chain it can go. " ...

Agile Manufacturing: Profit Velocity ...

Agile manufacturers focus visibility on the profit velocity of the product being produced. Adoption of lean manufacturing principles can be leveraged for agile performance ...

Via Innovation in Canada: The Canadian Manufacturing Processes Sector

... "The proponents of agile state that the goal of manufacturing is to drive as much profit as possible through the facility in the least amount of time. This concept has been termed Profit Velocity. It incorporates the idea that the goal of Customer Relations Management is win-win success, with a higher value to end customers and strong profits throughout the supply chain. Although phrased differently, it emphasizes some of the same basic concepts as lean, which include innovation, creativity, alignment, focus, collaboration, speed and change. " ...

Reference material on the use of profit velocity in agile manufacturing:

... "Agile Manufacturing: Activities are described both financial and non-financial measures. It makes distinctions between absolute profitability and profitability per unit of time.This is achieved through using profit velocity. Profit velocity is based on the observation that company profitability is a function of the absolute profitability and the number of products that can be produced during a period of time. " ...

... "Journey towards agility: Flexible assets and systems refer to facilities, systems and software. This includes buildings, services, production layout, technologies, IT, equipment and control systems. Assets and systems need to be lean – having a minimum of waste with an organisation designed to improve the effectiveness of all aspects of the operations ... " ...

Lean Six Sigma Methodology: Kaizen Competition

Lean Six Sigma Methodology: Kaizen Competition: Via Solectron: Solectron Drives Lean Six Sigma Manufacturing to its Suppliers: First Annual Award Judges Include Lean author, Jim Womack and Toyota Production System Expert Chichiro Nakao-San ...

Solectron drives operational efficiency through kaizen competition using its own flavor of the Lean Six Sigma Methodology ...

... "Solectron announced the Penang, Malaysia, facility as the winner of Solectron's first annual Global SPS Kaizen Competition. SPS is the company's industry-leading Lean Six Sigma methodology for continuous manufacturing improvement in quality and efficiency. Solectron employees have completed more than 5,000 Kaizens, a Japanese term that means continuous improvement, this year throughout its global operations. ... Entries for the contest were submitted from over 50 Solectron sites around the world. From those entries, 11 finalists from Europe, Asia and the Americas gathered in San Jose, Calif., to recognize the winner. Judges included Jim Womack, founder of the Lean Enterprise Institute and co-author of Lean Thinking and Chichiro Nakao-San, who spent over 30 years at Toyota Corporation refining its ground-breaking manufacturing methodology. ... Solectron's 2005 Supplier Day formally launched Solectron's Lean supplier program, which forms the foundation of Solectron's vision to deliver competitive supply chain solutions to its customers. The one-day event included breakout sessions on Lean 101, an introduction to the Solectron Production System; Solectron's Lean supply chain program; an overview of increasing customer value through design and engineering for Lean production; and Lean deployment from a supplier perspective. " ...

Solectron provides a full range of global manufacturing and supply-chain management services to the world's premier high-tech companies. Solectron's offerings include new-product design and introduction services, materials management, product manufacturing, and product warranty and end-of-life support. The company is based in Milpitas, Calif., and had sales from continuing operations of $11.64 billion in fiscal 2004.

Six Sigma Production Efficiency: Global Manufacturing Network ...

Six Sigma Production Efficiency: Global Manufacturing Network: Via Celanese: Celanese Chemicals Announces Emulsions Price Increases ...

... "Celanese Emulsions, a business of Celanese Chemicals, is a global supplier of emulsion and adhesive polymers to the architectural coatings, adhesives, paper, nonwovens, textiles and building products industries. It is aggressively adopting best practices and implementing Six Sigma initiatives across its global manufacturing sites to increase production efficiency and improve supply chain economics. " ...

Celanese Corporation (NYSE:CE) is an integrated global producer of value-added industrial chemicals based in Dallas, Texas. The Company has four major businesses: Chemicals Products, Technical Polymers Ticona, Acetate Products and Performance Products. Celanese has production plants in 13 countries in North America, Europe and Asia. In 2004, Celanese Corporation and its predecessor had combined net sales of $5.1 billion. The presentation of combined net sales of Celanese Corporation with its predecessor is not in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Lean Manufacturing Facility Design ...

Lean Manufacturing Facility Design: ModusLink Expands its Utah Operations ...

Facility design incorporates lean manufacturing techniques to achieve high-performance supply chain ...

... "The new facility adds 174,624 square feet of operational space and capacity to the current global footprint. Employing lean manufacturing techniques, the center was designed and equipped with highly skilled personnel, equipment, systems and business processes to implement the most efficient and cost effective supply chain solutions. " ...

ModusLink is a leading provider of global supply chain management solutions. The company provides global technology clients in the software, hardware, telecommunications and wireless markets with customized supply chain solutions that reduce risk and time to market and improve efficiency and productivity. ModusLink's services include demand planning, sourcing and procurement, manufacturing support, kitting and assembly, fulfillment, full-cycle logistics, systems integration and development, customer support and optimization consulting. Headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, ModusLink maintains 37 facilities in 13 countries and employs 3,900 people worldwide. The company is a subsidiary of CMGI, Inc.

Additional resources on lean manufacturing facility designs:

Facilities In Lean Manufacturing Strategy: Lean Manufacturing is all about adding value and avoiding waste. Facility planning (land, buildings, equipment, furnishings) provides the physical capability to add value. ...

Items included in facilities design are plant location, building design, plant layout, and materials handling. The focus of this text is on designing lean manufacturing facilities. This means that all aspects of production should work together to eliminate waste.

Facilities Design for Lean: The lean facility design concentrates on adding value at each activity. This is done by creating one piece flow through cells dedicated to product families. Pull is created through kanban and visual systems. Quick setups are a necessity.

RFID Company Lean Manufacturing Value ...

RFID Company Lean Manufacturing Value: Wherenet: WHERENET SALUTED AS A HOT COMPANY BY START MAGAZINE FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR: Inbound Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive Magazines Also Recognize WhereNet for Driving Innovation and a Strong Return on Investment for Global Customers Leveraging the Company’s Active RFID-Based Real-Time Locating System Technology ...

... "WhereNet stands out as a market leader because its active RFID technology has been commercially deployed and has delivered proven business value for more than five years, said John Buell, editor-in-chief of Start magazine. WhereNet's applications are transforming business processes and driving new lean manufacturing principles for leading manufacturers around the world. " ...

WhereNet is the first company to deliver a single wireless location and communication infrastructure that reliably and cost-effectively manages valuable mobile resources and delivers a complete return on investment within 6-12 months. Based on patented, standards-compliant technology resulting from a collective 100+ years of development, the WhereNet real-time solutions enable companies such as BMW, Ford Motor Company, and NYK Logistics to reduce inventory, lower operating costs, and improve operations. The company has received the Henry Ford Technology Award; was recognized for strong ROI by Computerworld; was ranked among the top 10 in the InfoWorld 100; and has been recognized as a wireless innovator by Forrester Research, Computerworld ROI, Frontline Solutions, Plant Engineering, and Supply Chain Systems magazines. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, with offices throughout the United States and Europe, WhereNet is funded by Crosspoint Venture Partners, Foundation Capital, Bay Partners, Crescendo Ventures, and Sun Microsystems.

Six Sigma Inventory Control System ...

Six Sigma Inventory Control System: Brightstar Awarded U.S. Patent for Customer-Focused Serialization Inventory Control System ...

... "The system monitors and tracks wireless devices through their lifecycle, collecting and storing data as they move through the supply chain. Accuracy and quality are key components of the Brightstar created solution. Since commercial deployment, Brightstar has exceeded Six Sigma quality standards. To achieve Six Sigma, a process must not produce more than 3.4 defects per million opportunities. " ...

Brightstar Corp. is a leading distributor and provider of value added supply chain services to the wireless telecom industry, and also designs and manufactures products under licensing agreements with leading manufacturers. Headquartered in Miami, FL, Brightstar has operations in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, the U.S. and Venezuela with its most recent distribution operations located in Australia. The company serves over 160 network operators and 15,000 resellers, retailers and agents around the world and also represents many of the world's leading wireless manufacturers. During the year ending 2004, Brightstar's revenues exceeded $1.7 billion.

Agile Lean Manufacturing Principles Through Better Planning

Agile Lean Manufacturing Principles Through Better Planning: Nissan North America Selects i2 Solutions to Help Enable Business Agility ...

i2's planning software selected by Nissan to drive agile business processes based on lean manufacturing principles ...

... "NNA selected i2 Factory Planner and i2 Master Data Management with a goal of gaining greater business agility through improved planning and data management. NNA goals include developing an improved scheduling process and inventory management capabilities. i2 Factory Planner is designed to allow companies to more precisely manage key manufacturing variables, from work center capacity and setup times to materials and labor availability, due dates and corporate production policies. It is built on the principles of lean manufacturing and constraint-based planning, to get the best throughput and customer service levels at the lowest inventory level and cost. i2 Master Data Management is designed to create a single enterprise thesaurus that can ensure data is consistently described, used, and stored within an organization. This approach can create a framework through which data is authored, monitored and maintained, and ensure the coordination of business systems that touch the data. " ...

Nissan North America is a separate corporation whose operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing.

i2 is a leading provider of demand-driven supply chain solutions designed to enable business agility. i2's flexible solutions can synchronize demand and supply across an ever-changing global supply network. Nineteen of the AMR Research Top 25 Global Supply Chains belong to companies who are i2 customers. Seven of the Fortune global top 10 are also customers of i2. Founded in 1988 with a commitment to customer success and supply chain innovation, i2 has a history of delivering value by implementing solutions designed to provide a rapid return on investment.

Lean Manufacturing Best Practices: Supply Chain Agility ...

i2 and Microsoft Form Strategic Alliance; i2 to Deliver Supply Chain Agility on Microsoft Platform ...

i2 and Microsoft combine expertise to drive lean manufacturing principles through the supply chain ...

... "Today's supply chain requires global, real-time insight across the value chain. Manufacturers are pressured to adopt lean manufacturing best practices, but struggle to justify the hefty investment that typically accompanies such initiatives. Microsoft and i2 are committed to helping their industry partners and customers get the most out of legacy investments and extend their capabilities to optimize supply chain performance. " ...

i2 (OTC: ITWH) is a leading provider of demand-driven supply chain solutions designed to enable business agility. i2’s flexible solutions can synchronize demand and supply across an ever-changing global supply network. Nineteen of the AMR Research Top 25 Global Supply Chains belong to companies who are i2 customers. Seven of the Fortune global top 10 are also customers of i2. Founded in 1988 with a commitment to customer success and supply chain innovation, i2 has a history of delivering value by implementing solutions designed to provide a rapid return on investment.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Microsoft Supports Lean Manufacturing Software Capability in Automotive Industry ...

Microsoft Drives Insight and Innovation for the Automotive Community With Peak Performance Initiative

... "At the Microsoft Global Automotive Summit,Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates teamed with Microsoft Corp.'s automotive team in announcing the Peak Performance Initiative, designed to help the automotive community accelerate insight through advanced analysis services, drive innovation through collaboration, and improve performance via increased visibility into operations across the automotive supply chain. ... Automotive OEMs and suppliers are under tremendous pressures to improve performance in a highly competitive, cost-sensitive environment. To succeed, these companies are looking for solutions that cut across and integrate the entire value stream. In support of Microsoft's Peak Performance Initiative, we are coupling Microsoft technology with Avanade's holistic enterprise expertise to meet the challenges of the automotive industry. Avanade's solutions enable collaborative product design, demand-driven lean manufacturing and supply management, global sourcing, and global operations management. " ...

-- Michael Merfeld, Solution Director, Microsoft Business Solutions, Avanade

Microsoft has been working with the automotive industry for more than a decade. In manufacturing, Microsoft works with industry-leading partners to develop solutions based on Microsoft technologies that enable OEMs, suppliers and customers to improve efficiency, effectiveness and knowledge across the business. Through business applications, .NET technologies and enterprise platform support, manufacturers are able to accelerate time to market, collaborate globally with engineers, reduce costs by leveraging the power of the Internet, and increase visibility into their production and supply chain processes. From an in-vehicle technology perspective, Microsoft's Automotive Business Unit works collaboratively with the auto industry to deliver technology designed for advanced in-car information, navigation and entertainment systems. Microsoft technology is on the road today in 25 preinstalled and aftermarket devices from 13 world-class automakers and suppliers, including Acura, BMW, Citroën, Clarion, Fiat, Subaru, Honda, Hyundai, DaimlerChrysler, Mitsubishi, NexTech, Toyota and Volvo.

CAIV Cost As Independent Variable ...

ACC: Acquisition Community Connection

... "Some key methods that are considered essential Cost As an Independent Variable (CAIV) tools are design trades (making decisions that balance cost and performance), allocation (breaking down cost targets and performance requirements for your design teams), cost estimating and analysis (developing responsive cost tools that predict life cycle cost for a given design), requirements analysis (including tools like Voice of the Customer (VoC) and Quality Function Deployment (QFD) to translate customer/warfighter requirements to design, risk analysis (properly using risk information to adjust trades), Pareto analysis (focusing your efforts on the most important decisions), Value Engineering (identifying opportunities for improvement where cost and performance are out of balance), Design To Cost (achieving cost targets within design teams), and supplier partnerships (working with other members of the value chain to achieve cost reductions). " ...

GE Six Sigma Career Pays Off ...

GE Six Sigma Career Pays Off: IKON Names Hickling as Head of Operations, Promotes Hershey to ...

IKON Office appoints GE Six Sigma veteran to customer care and supply chain leadership position ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... Hickling brings nearly three decades of experience with General Electric Corporation in management, operations, marketing, finance and Six Sigma roles. ...

... IKON Office Solutions (NYSE:IKN), the world's largest independent channel for document management systems and services, today announced the appointment of Jeffrey W. Hickling to the position of senior vice president of operations, and the promotion of Mark A. Hershey to the position of senior vice president, general counsel and secretary. Both Hickling and Hershey will report to Matthew J. Espe, IKON's chairman and chief executive officer. As senior vice president of operations, Hickling will provide leadership to IKON's customer care centers and supply chain organization. Hickling brings nearly three decades of experience with General Electric Corporation in management, operations, marketing, finance and Six Sigma roles. ...

IKON Office Solutions Inc. (www.ikon.com), the world's largest independent channel for copier, printer and MFP technologies, delivers integrated document management solutions and systems, enabling customers worldwide to improve document workflow and increase efficiency. IKON integrates best-in-class systems from leading manufacturers, such as Canon, Ricoh, Konica Minolta, EFI and HP, and document management software from companies like Captaris, EMC (Documentum), Kofax and others, to deliver tailored, high-value solutions implemented and supported by its global services organization--IKON Enterprise Services. IKON represents one of the industry's broadest portfolios of document management services, including professional services, on-site managed services, legal document services, customized workflow solutions, and comprehensive support through its service force of 16,600 employees, including its team of 7,000 customer

Six Sigma Supplier Performance ...

Six Sigma Supplier Performance: Asyst Awards Solectron 2004 Distinguished Supplier Award

Solectron awarded supplier performance award, leveraging Six Sigma to improve quality ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... "With Solectron's emphasis on Lean manufacturing to reduce wa