Dec 25 2011
Work Cells in Process Plants: Virtual or Pretend?
Via Scoop.it – Cellular manufacturing
In the latest issue of the AME’s Target magazine, Peter King explains how he has applied the cell concept in process plants, but his cells are virtual, meaning that their implementation does not involve relocating equipment. In the case of synthetic rubber at Dupont’s plant in Louisville, KY he reports decreasing scrap and lead time by 28%, and decreasing finished goods inventory by 50%. There is no mention of improvements in Productivity, WIP and Raw Materials inventory, or Space Requirements.
While these improvements are substantial and respectable, they are not up to cell benchmarks: reductions of 80% to 90% in lead time, inventory and defect rates, with a 30% to 50% increase in productivity, all in 25% to 30% less space. But that cannot be achieved without moving equipment…
If you can’t move the equipment, I prefer to call it managing monuments than implementing cells. Since you can’t get from managing monuments the order-of-magnitude performance boosts that you get from cells, I prefer to keep the distinction in sharp focus rather than blur it by pretending that “virtual cells” are cells. Where cells apply, they are wonderful, but they are not a panacea. Even in discrete, mechanical manufacturing plants, there are often a few areas like, Heat Treat, Electroplating or Painting, where cells are difficult or impossible for now, and the skill of managing monuments is necessary.
Via www.ame.org
Dec 27 2011
IndustryWeek survey on Continuous Improvement
Via Scoop.it – Cellular manufacturing
According to this article, the survey shows that continuous improvement separates the winners from the losers and drives financial gains. The body of the article, however, contains no information about the survey method. We know neither how many companies responded nor the positions of the people who responded. I assume that survey questionnaires were sent to a selected group of executives, and that some among the recipients opted to answer. I am not sure what such a sample is supposed to represent.
The article says that more respondents with continuous improvement programs expect revenue and income growth >3% in 2012 than respondents without such programs. So it is about what this self-selected sample believes will happen next year. The only statement about actual results is a similar one about cash flow for this year. Based on the article, I fail to see how the survey supports the claims in the title and subtitle.
Via www.industryweek.com
Share this:
Like this:
By Michel Baudin • Press clippings • 0 • Tags: Continuous improvement, Management