COMPETING Blog

Next Network Meeting, Thursday December 6, 2007

Posted & filed under Network News.

It is my pleasure to announce our next network meeting:

Where: Misco Products, 1048 Stinson Drive, Reading PA 19605 phone: 610-926-4106

When: Thursday December 6, 2007 from 8:30 until Noon

What: Fire recovery, new flow, pathways and connections

Who: 3 representatives per member company

Why: Most of us remember the horrific fire Misco sustained in January when more than half their facility was turned to cinder or rendered unsafe. Since that time Misco has been shipping on-time by working in cramped, difficult conditions. The rebuilding and realignment of the most of the facility will be completed by 12/6, though some key areas have been delayed. Come see Misco’s new, improved flow, connections and pathways. You will not be disappointed.

Competing October 19, 2007 Dave Nelson

Posted & filed under COMPETING Podcast.

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Dave Nelson, Chief Strategy Officer, HTC Global Services, Inc. is a former Vice President for Delphi Corporation where he led their global supply management operations encompassing 2700 supply chain professionals and $18 billion in total annual spending. Dave also served as vice president of worldwide supply management at Deere & Company in Moline, Ill.

From 1987 to 1997 Nelson served as a corporate officer of Honda America Manufacturing in Marysville, OH. Where, under Dave’s direction, the company’s purchasing division grew from 100 to 400 associates and North America purchases increased from $600 million to $6 billion.

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Summary of Network Meeting at American LaFrance 10/11/07

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American LaFrance’s team showed us the progress they have made changing culture and implementing 6S and continuous improvement. The plant tours were highlighted by passionate responses from the people doing the work. Congratulations to everyone at American LaFrance for their valuable efforts thus far. (more…)

Interview with Dr. Steven Spear – Part 1 Toyota, a community of scientists

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Outline of Highlights…..Please listen to the podcast for details

Today we are fortunate to have as our guest Dr. Steven Spear

Dr Spear is a Senior Lecturer at Mass. Institute of Technology, where he teaches an introduction to Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma for students in the Leaders for Manufacturing and System Design and Management Programs.

Steven also teaches in Harvard Medical School and School of Public Health Programs.

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Competing August 16, 2007 “Creating an effective suggestion system”

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Sponsored by the Zone Control Achieve Program, gemba training for Supervisors Front-line Managers and Lead People the sergeants and lieutenants in the war against waste. To find out more go to Gembawalk.com or call 717-394-9106.

Thanks to Jon Miller of Gemba Research and his article “The Suggestion System is No Suggestion” for much of the following information (more…)

Next Network Meeting, Thursday October 11 at American LaFrance

Posted & filed under Network News.

It is my pleasure to announce our next network meeting:

Where: American LaFrance, 64 Cocalico Creek Road, Ephrata, PA 17522, phone: 717-859-1176

When: Thursday October 11, 2007 from 8:30 until Noon

What: Cultural Change at American LaFrance

Who: 3 representatives per member company

Why: American LaFrance has made significant and obvious strides improving the physical plant. How? They work on culture every day.  Firetrucks and rescue vehicles are complicated projects.  See ALF’s new approach and witness the improvements.

Network Meeting Summary – Clean Burn 7/19/07

Posted & filed under Network News.

The Clean Burn team showed us the progress they have made since the network’s visit last summer. Better organization and communication, improved visuals (more than 1500 items controlled by kanban), significantly improved assembly line flow, balance and productivity. Information was passed on, contact information was gathered and improvement remains our focus.

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