Continuous Improvement

Precision Machine & Manufacturing Improves Oversight, Production and Sales Processes Through Continuous Improvement Principles

January 9, 2024

Precision Machine & Manufacturing (PMM) was established in 1997. Based in Eugene, Oregon, this manufacturer has been setting the industry standards for

Illuminating Possibilities to Achieve ISO Certification

November 7, 2023

Enova Illumination, a client of Enterprise Minnesota (Minnesota MEP), is a leading provider of LED surgical headlights, magnification systems, and other

When in Crisis, Manufacturers Can Look to Kata

January 5, 2023

There is more to lean manufacturing than improving a few processes. Sustainable lean success requires a companywide culture of continuous daily improvement

A Lean Management Road Map to Build a More Proactive Game Plan

December 9, 2022

Research has shown that during times of economic uncertainty, companies that find a balance between reducing the resources they need to survive and investing in

When Your Lean Supply Chains Feel Out of Control, Focus on What You Can Control

September 1, 2022

Many manufacturers who adopted lean principles by applying a “just-in-time” (JIT) mindset to inventory of materials and parts have been burned, sometimes badly

Five Leadership Essentials for Lean Success

August 23, 2022

The Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME) defines people-centric leadership (PCL) as a leadership approach that seeks to create a culture in which

Capturing New Markets

June 23, 2022

Galaxy Precision, Inc. is a family-owned precision machine shop with capabilities in CNC milling, CNC turning, and Swiss machining located in Albany, Minnesota

How to Translate Lean Principles Into Your Office Functions

January 14, 2022

The lean manufacturing movement came out of a desire to reduce waste and inefficiencies and improve productivity in the operation. Many manufacturers have also

Dillman Equipment Makes Sustainable Culture Change

May 21, 2020

Dillman Equipment of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and its 150 employees supply the asphalt industry with a complete line of asphalt plant equipment including

Lean Innovation: What Manufacturers Can Learn From the Tech Sector’s Appropriation of Lean Thinking

April 30, 2020

When most people think of lean processes, the prevailing attitude is that the goal is to optimize things in a step-by-step approach. The result that companies

Golden Artist Colors Uses its Creativity to Improve its Business

March 26, 2020

Golden Artist Colors, Inc. , or simply GOLDEN, founded in 1980 and based in New Berlin, New York, manufactures paints for the art materials market. The company

Continued Support

February 7, 2020

Established in 1958, Micro Craft is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected producers of wind tunnel models, flight demonstrators, and specialized test

Local Family-Owned Business Serves Up High-Quality, Wholesome Food Across the Rocky Mountain Region for More Than 45 Years

January 24, 2020

Ready Foods is not a household name in Colorado. However, after 47 years of selling soups and sauces into restaurants, supermarkets and other food service

Toyota Kata: A Lean Strategy for Keeping Up with the Pace of Change

June 12, 2019

“Why are our changeovers taking so long?” If you’ve asked this question on the shop floor, more than likely you were met with blank stares by your employees

Fastener Company Overcomes Production Issues through Lean Manufacturing

May 14, 2019

Since their inception in 1959, Level 1 Fasteners, Inc. has continued to produce the highest quality fasteners for the US Navy and its subcontractors. Level 1

Precision Custom Coatings Goes Through a Lean Transformation

April 4, 2019

Precision Custom Coatings LLC manufactures and distributes interlining products. The company offers woven, nonwoven, and knitted fusible; needle punch and

Smaller Manufacturers Get Lean with Artificial Intelligence

March 6, 2019

Artificial intelligence is widely acknowledged as a crucial aspect of what is broadly referred to as Industry 4.0. While no one knows yet how artificial

Competitiveness Review Takes Business to Next Level

March 1, 2019

Machine Tech uses the most technologically advanced equipment in the machine shop industry to manufacture a wide range of products, from simple to highly

Military Tent Manufacturer Gains Long-Term Sustainability

October 16, 2018

Based in Stearns, Kentucky, with 250 employees, Outdoor Venture Corporation (OVC) develops, designs, and manufactures commercial tent systems, military tent

Century-Old Factory Gets an Upgrade with 6S

August 2, 2018

Penn-Troy Manufacturing, Inc., is a third-generation, family-owned business housed in a century-old complex in Troy, Pennsylvania. With 45 employees, the

Value Stream Mapping Leads to Medical Device FDA Success

July 10, 2018

Ivy Biomedical Systems is an industry leading medical device manufacturer focused on cardiac and respiratory gating solutions. All of its products are designed

ERP Implementation Helps Farm Equipment Manufacturer Support Future Growth

May 11, 2018

Doyle Equipment Manufacturing Company is a leading manufacturer of equipment for blending, conveying, tending and spreading dry fertilizers. Founded in 1951

Success Story: Improvement Effort Reduces Changeover Time

April 6, 2018

Brighton NC Machine Corporation is an industry leader in machining, grinding, and assembly services in Brighton, Michigan. Established in 1965, Brighton NC was

Smart Manufacturing Through a Lean Transformation Process

April 3, 2018

As a small and medium-sized manufacturer (SMM), can you reasonably begin to adopt smart technologies through a lean transformation approach as part of your

Success Story: Lean Transformation Helps Growing Company Keep Up With Demand

March 22, 2018

Dakota Bodies develops and builds truck bodies for the service and industrial markets. Based in Watertown, South Dakota, the company has about 250 employees

Success Story: Lean Training Leads to $1.2 Million in Impacts

March 2, 2018

Unilux Advanced Manufacturing produces watertube and firetube boilers used by energy service companies and various facilities, including commercial and

Success Story: Rapid ROI and Company Growth

February 9, 2018

Kennedy Incorporated has been manufacturing high-quality, die-struck jewelry, medallions and insignias from their North Kingstown, Rhode Island manufacturing

Success Story: Student Interns Generate Needed Assistance for Startup

January 26, 2018

Located in Birmingham, Alabama, Motus Motorcycles is a very small startup with 13 employees. The company is committed to building the next generation of

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