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Red River LLC: Elevating Efficiency and Safety to Revitalize American Manufacturing
With the help of: Manufacturing Works
About
Red River LLC, located in Gillette, Wyoming, specializes in the design and manufacturing of pressure vessels. On a mission to bring back American manufacturing, Red River has built a strong reputation in the industry for its commitment, building top-notch relationships through relentless focus on delivering the best quality and service. The company works with some of the world's leading companies in a range of industries; Red River’s pressure vessels can be found in facilities from coast to coast. With a focus on continuous improvement, Red River has sought innovative ways to increase efficiency and enhance employee safety, particularly on the shop floor.
The Challenge
In 2023 & 2024, with the help of Manufacturing Works, part of the MEP National Network™, Red River identified several key areas for improvement as they aimed to streamline their operations and improve workplace safety. The company wanted to improve its production efficiency and create a safer working environment but faced challenges, including a need for workforce upskilling and a more systematic approach to safety and productivity on the shop floor.
Adam, Rocky and the rest of the people at Manufacturing Works have been really great to work with. Their support through grants and connections played a big role in our ability to make significant jumps in capability, training and safety, as well as extending our reach to multiple industries and regions in the US.
MEP's Role
Red River engaged Manufacturing Works to implement a multifaceted improvement program that included OSHA consultation, a lean six sigma training by The Effective Syndicate, and the strategic use of workforce services training grants and Wyoming Business Council (WBC) certification grants. Through OSHA's consultation program, Red River was able to identify and mitigate safety risks on the shop floor, creating a safer work environment for its employees.
The lean six sigma project delivered The Effective Syndicate, further improved operational efficiency by identifying and eliminating bottlenecks in the production process, reducing waste, and optimizing workflows. Additionally, the company leveraged Wyoming's Workforce Services Training Grant and the WBC Certification Grant to upskill its workforce, ensuring employees could effectively implement and sustain the new processes.
This combination of training and process improvement led to significant gains in productivity and operational efficiency. According to COO Reilly Sasse, "The attitude exemplified by the folks at Manufacturing Works is top tier, they are creative, energetic and follow through on their promises. They are a pleasure to work with and have helped us significantly to improve our capabilities, profitability, training and safety."