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Lean manufacturing has replaced mass production for almost half of all U.S. manufacturers, and has helped employers improve operating efficiencies and retain manufacturing jobs in the United States. Unfortunately, many of these employers have seen their workers’ compensation costs skyrocket because of it. This article looks at why companies are seeing such a change after implementing lean as well as what can be done about it within a facility.
By Jack Kester
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Nanotechnology and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) research facilities are sought largely by a blend of government, university and corporate/private sector enterprises. IDC Architects has found that combining industrial engineering with architectural design approaches and integrating key operational requirements provides a flexible and technically capable nano/MEMS infrastructure. In this article, the authors look at the key design factors.
By Monty Stranski and Ted Johnson
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The case study discusses how a manufacturer’s cross-functional team right-sized inventory levels and transformed the company’s planning process from a forecast-driven push approach to a demand-driven pull approach. The article will also focus on the concept of customer pull and how the company put in place the processes to manage the flow of its materials and replenish only what has been consumed at the demand rate of the customer.
By Tom Knight, Donna Ruder and Xing Guan
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In the past year, much attention has been given on social media sites such as LinkedIn to two issues tied to work measurement. The first is the proper method of conducting what we still call a time study. The second is the current state of the technology and software available to help set standards. This article will attempt to address these issues.
By Larry Aft
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