Feeling understaffed? Trying to increase production speed to make up for supply chain delays, or to become more competitive? Need to decrease waste but you’re not sure where to start? All of these conditions can lead to a stressed staff and higher turnover unless the mindset and tools of Continuous Improvement are applied.
In this series, manufacturing Ted Kennedy shares four tools that can make waste visible, improve production capacity and increase quality – all without adding team members and stress.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Ted is a Six Sigma Black Belt with more than 35 years of manufacturing Operations and Engineering experience. He’s picked four Lean Manufacturing tools that he’s seen yield the best ROI for smaller companies.
- December 8: Value Stream Mapping
Why is this tool to identify and remove / reduce “waste” in value streams so beloved?
Don’t take our word for it. Lost Art Cultured Foods found time and improved quality. Downeast Coffee Roasters created a future map that guided their team to $1,500,000 in direct cost savings. Tanury Industries was better able to meet schedules and increased sales by 35%. - December 15: Quick Changeover – Set Up Reduction Training
Reducing the time it takes for setups allows for more frequent changeovers and increases production flexibility.
Smaller lot sizes, less scrap, shortened lead times and happier customers are frequent outcomes of Quick Changeover (aka SMED) training.
Each session provides a fast-paced discussion of WHAT the tool is and WHY to use it. You’ll also hear about WHEN and HOW to train your team to start realizing the most benefit from process improvements.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
- Production managers, Operations leads, plant managers, general managers
- Internal Lean Champions
- RI Manufacturing company presidents/founders/owners
ABOUT THE TRAINER
Polaris MEP Project Manager Ted Kennedy has 35 years of experience within Operations and Engineering in the metalworking, toy manufacturing, and automotive manufacturing industries. He is a Lean leader with expertise in streamlining manufacturing, warehouse/distribution, retail packaging, and office processes.
Among other achievements, Ted created plant layouts for new 30,000 Sq. Ft. and 120,000 Sq. Ft. buildings and modified building layouts on three other facilities consolidating manufacturing and warehouse space by 30% to 40% using Lean tools. He also helped design a bar code system for use in manufacturing and shipping which was in use for over 15 years. He is a Six Sigma Black Belt.