Manufacturing Extension Partnership


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Top Line Growth Eureka! Winning Ways New Sales New Customers & Markets New Products & Services Process Improvement Lean Quality Environmental Supply Chain Management Supply Chain Management Benefits of Working with MEP Accelerate Program Supply Chain Successes Business Operations Workforce Systems & Management Local Events Find Your MEP Center Contact Us MEP Homepage	Manufacturers Lean - Pull Systems/Kanban Setup Reduction \| Total Productive Maintenance \| Value Stream Mapping \| Cellular/Flow Manufacturing \| 5S System \| Pull Systems/Kanban \| Kaizen Blitz Improve Your Cash Flow, Throughput and Competitive Position What are Pull System/Kanban? Pull Systems/Kanban control the flow of resources in a production process by replacing only what has been consumed. They are customer order-driven production schedules based on actual demand and consumption rather than forecasting. Implementing Pull Systems can help you eliminate waste in handling, storing and getting your product to the customer. Benefits Reduce overall inventory Reduce work in process Reduce order turnaround time Increase customer satisfaction Improve cash flow Reduce cycle time Reduce machine down time Boost employee morale as well as work environment Successes A maker of fine table linens was able to slash its average order turnaround time from three weeks to three days using a Pull System. The changes eliminated bottlenecks in production and increased responsiveness to customer needs. A manufacturer of high-quality packaging machinery implemented a multi-faceted lean transformation. A Pull System was used to smooth the flow of Work-In-Process (WIP). The changes decreased WIP by 62%, and dramatically increased the number of orders completed each day. Pull Systems/Kanban - and other lean techniques - were implemented by a manufacturer of custom fiberglass and vacuum form products. These changes increased productivity by 20%, reduced inventory by 53%, decreased lead-time by 63% and far exceeded their targeted goals. Course Description: LE206 - One-Day Workshop: Pull Systems/Kanban Pull Systems/Kanban is part of an integrated suite of tools and services developed specifically for manufacturers. This course is one in a series of related lean courses MEP offers. Explore the process of designing and implementing Pull Systems/Kanban through classroom instruction and hands-on production simulations in this workshop. This course introduces participants to the principles of Pull Systems/Kanban, applies them in a life-like simulation and demonstrates how they can be applied to a variety of manufacturing situations.	Lean Results "I am really proud of just how this organization has embraced the Lean concept provided by MEP’s Idaho TechHelp and gone to the levels they have in taking the opportunity to implement the program where possible. What is truly exciting to me is that the Lean concept empowers each individual in the organization with the ability to make a difference toward the goal of process improvement. This concept fits so well with this organization in that we have set a standard that each individual can truly make a difference in how we go to market with the goods and services we provide." Edward W. Hawkins, Jr., CEO Litehouse, Inc. Sandpoint, Idaho Read More + "The things we learned from Lean and MEP’s Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership have really helped us become more of a team." Bill Vogel, President Vogel Wood Products Corporation Monona, WI Read More + "After some basic lean training by the Florida Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the group used Value Stream Mapping and Kaizen events and reworked our entire work flow process. Our corporate offices in Arizona and California have now begun the same Lean transformation process due to the success in Florida." Jeff Rosen, Director Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics Orlando, FL Read More + "I've been very pleased with the assistance we have received from Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center. Our teams have gained a great deal of confidence in their understanding of lean concepts. This education, and the buy-in that has followed from our team members, has provided us with the ability to implement the lean principles that have helped us remain competitive and profitable in our industry." Rick Crane, Operations Director National Wheel-O-Vator Co., Inc. Roanoke, VA Read More + "The Puerto Rico Manufacturing Extension Inc. provided the expertise and resources required to achieve a successful implementation of Lean Manufacturing practices in our operation." Victor Balaguer, Plant Manager GE Sensing Añasco, Puerto Rico Read More +

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