CNC wire bending equipment in Addison, IL
AIM, Inc. manufactures multi-dimensional CNC wire bending equipment. Founded in 1992, AIM has grown to become the premier CNC wire bending machine manufacturer supplying customers worldwide.
The Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center (IMEC) recently announced through its website that it will be partnering with PMAlliance for the production of a project management webinar series. The inaugural event "Shifting the Worry Curve" will be held on May 30th, 2012 and registration will be handled through IMEC's website.
“Shifting the Worry Curve” will address ways manufacturers can manage project surprises before they become a last minute problem. Project sponsors, managers, and team members seeking to gain greater insight into successful project management methods should attend this 1-hour webinar.
R.S. Owens & Company has been producing elegant awards and gifts for almost 75 years.
We manufacture many of the world’s most prestigious and celebrated awards, including the Oscar®, Emmy, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the American Idol. Launched in 1938, R.S. Owens is one of the largest manufacturers of upscale awards from raw material to finished product in the world. R.S. Owens is an 82,000 square foot, full-service, union-labor manufacturing facility in Chicago. We take pride in our skilled union artisans and our commitment to American made products.
Sycamore, Illinois - manufacturer of press-fit metal fastening and joining components for the automotive industry, industrial, medical, department of defense and other sectors http://www.driv-lok.com
Situation
Driv-Lok is in an intensely competitive sector, where customers demand certain levels of efficiency. The company had experienced growth in sales to automotive manufacturers, doubling volume on some key parts. The production increases posed some challenges in the company's sorting and packaging department, the final step to ensure non-defective products are released. An assessment revealed that long machine set-up times were causing some delays in shipment.
High Performance Burners in Rockford, IL
Eclipse offers the very best in combustion products, systems, and technical service for customers around the globe. From engineered systems to custom configured products, the solutions-based approach of Eclipse produces highly safe, reliable, efficient, and clean-burning equipment for a wide range of heating applications.
Custom Fiberglass Products in Rockford, IL
We are a leading manufacturer of fiberglass snow poles, marker reflectors, delineators, replacement handles, and mop and broom handles. We have the capacity to produce a variety of pultruded products to suit many applications. Contact us for your next fiberglass project. We specialize in custom profiles.
I talk to manufacturers who have many great ideas on to grow their businesses. They often include things such as entering new markets, introducing new products, adopting new sales and marketing strategies and acquiring new businesses. However, in smaller manufacturing companies, there is rarely one individual responsible for prioritizing, planning and leading the team through these growth strategies. As a result, many of those activities never reach their full potential.
Consider the risks, in a small company, with sharing the responsibility for growth strategies among several people in the company:
The Sycamore-based manufacturer of metal fastening and joining components cut inventory costs, reduced machine set-ups, and saved on tooling with help from a team of specialists from IMEC and Kishwaukee College.
Ameren’s ActOnEnergy® helps manufacturers use less…save more
The Ameren Illinois ActOnEnergy® program offers a variety of cash incentives and resources to help your manufacturing business invest in smart energy solutions. Manufacturing operations are among the most energy-intensive businesses, so there’s great potential to improve efficiency. Energy-efficient upgrades can lower your energy bills and maintenance costs by thousands of dollars each year. No matter the size of your business, we’re focused on helping you save more and boost your bottom line.
Contract injection molding in Washington, IL
IVP is a contract injection molding company led by its engaged and inspired employees. IVP is regarded as a trusted global partner that provides high value, innovative solutions for thermoplastic and composite components and assemblies. IVP is capable of designing, prototyping, mold building, injection molding, insert molding, in mold labeling and decaling, gas assist molding, assembly, thermal insertion, sonic welding, and thermal riveting.
Lean Series will provide participants with the skills to begin a lean transformation.
IMEC is teaming up with Selsius Corporate and Career Training, the business and industry center for Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC), to put on a Lean Manufacturing Series. By experiencing the six course simulations in the Lean Manufacturing Series, participants will have the knowledge, tools and application examples required to begin a lean transformation. Attending companies will also receive a free on-site Lean Assessment.
Ideas about how to get the most out of your Lean tools
These days, we are overloaded with information about Lean -- what it is and what Lean tools do. Despite that, it's difficult to find truly practical information on how to execute Lean Transformation and lead real change. Every company's Lean journey starts under a different situation, so there can be no single prescription. One size does not fit all. But, to sustain improvements and ensure success, there are many factors to consider before launching your Lean journey.
Many people know about Lean but aren't doing anything with that knowledge. They don't know where to begin or see too many obstacles preventing them from making the commitment. Even more discouraging, many companies that do implement Lean don't consider their efforts to be a great success. So, why is it that such a small percentage of firms that know about Lean convert it into a success? The leadership, cultural, organizational and implementation hurdles are much greater than they expected.
Here are some helpful tips for your Lean Journey (in part from lessons learned along the way from those who have been there) to help you on the road ahead:
