On August 18, 2010 the WIRE-Net Advanced Continuous Improvement group toured the Zircoa Plant in Solon, OH. The group is made up of Manufacturers from the
Zircoa has been Utilizing Lean principles for the past year and has made some significant progress in implementation. With the help of a local consultant Zircoa has:
- Improved flow
- Reduced mistakes
- Reduced WIP
- Cut Lead time
As a result of the efforts, they have seen:
- Increase in Sales
- Inventory turns up (inventory down)
- Improved EBIT
- Shorter lead times
Our tour focused on the Visual Factory aspect of Lean. As we walked the floor we were introduced to personnel who described the use and value of visual displays of information on the plant floor (red is bad/green is good!). We also witnessed a staff meeting being conducted on the floor as part of their continuous communication within the organization.
Recommended
Zircoa has supported their personnel with many opportunities to advance their Lean Learning. Among these opportunities were these suggested books:
- Everything I Know About Lean I Learned in First Grade (Martichenko)
- It’s Not Magic (Klein and Zawacki)
- Lean Production Simplified (Dennis)
- Creating a Lean Culture (Mann)
- Managing to Learn (Shook)
- Quick Changeover Opportunities: SMED Systems (Productivity Press)
- Made to Order Lean (Lane)
If you are interested in becoming part of Advanced Continuous group, please call Mark Pinto at WIRE-Net (216)920-1960 or e mail at
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