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CUSTOM INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT INDUSTRY:
Lean / SPC / Teaming Manufacturing Productivity Improvement |
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Client: |
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A
world leader in industrial boilers that provides custom products in
an engineered-to- order business. |
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Problem: |
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The
company’s quality and consistency were substandard. Waste and rework
were high,throughput and plant capacity were strained, cost per unit
was not in control, and a lack of defined processes plagued the firm.
An uncooperative workplace environment existed, with union labor and
management at odds with each other. |
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Approach: |
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Applied Lean Manufacturing, statistical process control (SPC), and
a team- based methodology to help the client identify, prioritize,
redesign and improve key strategic processes for better flow and less
waste. Developed critical operational goals via metrics, baselined
performance of key processes, trained cross-functional, problem-solving
employee teams, applied statistical and interpersonal problem-solving
tools, and coached and facilitated the transition to a team-based,
process improvement environment. Processes improved included steel
cutting, welding, grinding, tube forming, steel rolling, copper plumbing
fab., integrated electronic controls, paint shop, finishing, testing
and inspection, assembly and client customization. |
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Results: |
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Capacity
and throughput were significantly increased due to the following:
•Process variation reduced in critical operations
•First pass yield improved, defects per unit plummeted, rework declined,
unit costs dropped and became reliable
•Work processes documented and flow streamlined
•Maintenance parts came into control, SKU’s reduced, and non-moving
parts made obsolete
•Quality of work life improved, leading to abatement of adverse labor
relations |
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