Category Archives: "Lean in Manufacturing"

Rather than outsourcing manufacturing jobs to foreign countries, companies such as Terex Aerial Work Platforms are keeping these positions domestic and helping reduce the United States' unemployment rate, one person at a time. In Washington state, for example, more than 14,600 jobs were created by the manufacturing sector over the past year. Since December alone,

Any company that's been around for more than 100 years must be doing a few things right. But with the rapid pace of change in today's business environment, the need to adopt more sustainable and efficient processes becomes imperative. General Electric is an example of just such a brand, having recently reported that it will

Recent debate about employment in the U.S. has been focused in large part on how to bring back jobs that have been outsourced to cheaper markets. This is a particular concern in the manufacturing sector, as companies have looked to Asia and South America for more cost-efficient workforces. While rising labor costs in many of

In the wake of the global economic downturn, companies have shown increased interest in waste reduction programs such as Lean, Six Sigma and Kaizen. With widespread market uncertainty, rising energy costs and diversifying supply networks, the need to eliminate inefficiencies and operational excess has become an imperative. In regards to manufacturing, this concept has already

Factory output in the U.S. is growing at a steady pace. While manufacturing expanded in February for the 31st consecutive month, many industries have failed to learn from mistakes made during the recession. Continuous quality improvement, for example, has emerged as an operational imperative, yet many producers have completely overlooked the value of this management

H.C. Starck, a global producer of refractory metals and technical ceramics, has been honored for its implementation of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Sustainable Energy Management systems, as well as general excellence in manufacturing execution. Last week, the company was ranked in the 2012 Northeast Ohio Evolution of Manufacturing Awards, which recognize leaders in green

Rising demand for commercial aircraft production is driving some producers to incorporate Lean manufacturing initiatives to bolster operational performance and improve their bottom lines. One such corporation, EDAC Technologies, plans to spend $3.8 million on new equipment and site improvements in preparation for new production demands. In addition to adopting a Lean strategy, EDAC purchased

What is the Value of Books in Lean? I was asked in this newsletter to address the value of books in Lean.  Although it seems like an easy question the more I thought about the question the more it became apparent that we need to consider what value is.  For something to be valuable do