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Manufacturing Enhancement
Production Optimization Solutions from a "Best of breed" Systems Integrator approach
by Highline Controls, Inc.
Dear Reader,
Are you "Resource Constrained" in your engineering or IT capabilities which is causing important (but not-critical) projects to not get completed?
This SMOKE SIGNAL article describes how Highline Controls, a long-time Rainmakers Strategic Partner who specializes in designing, building and implementing....
.....Lean Manufacturing, preventive and predictive maintenance, PLC, SCADA, labor reporting and Advanced Planning and Scheduling solutions....
for mid-market manufacturing concerns, like your firm.
The key reasons Rainmakers Partners with Highline Controls are:
- Value delivered on fixed fee basis (where applicable)
- Follows the 80/20 Rule = focus on delivering 80% of value for 20% of investment
- Specialist in Automation, production systems integration and overall production optimization
- Founder, Gregg Ekberg, has won awards from FORTUNE Magazine, SME and other organizations for delivering un-matched value and innovation
To learn more click on the Full Story below and call me at 847/251-3327.
Thanks for your time and consideration.
Jon C. Liberman
Rainmakers
847/251-3327
jon@rainmkrs.com
www.rainmakers.us
[FULL STORY]
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The Best Factory in the World
Reprinted with permission - Society of Manufacturing Engineers
by From Norman Bodek's book - Kaikaku
Dear Reader,
Occasionally I come across an article that resonates with me. This SMOKE SIGNAL article is one of those that hits the mark! It describes one manufacturing operation in Japan that encapsulates many Best Practices, regardless of the marketing term or "brand" thrown about. I thank Kevin Meyer from Superfactory Ventures LLC for sending this to me - and allowing us to share it with you.
This is a sample chapter from Norman Bodek's book "Kaikaku" having won a Shingo Prize for research. This is a story about a time when Bodek asked Shigeo Shingo to take him to the "very best factory in all Japan." Click on the Full Story below to see the details.
Rainmakers specializes in working with complex, manufacturing and high growth - mid-market businesses. Feel free to contact me to discuss how we can help your firm prosper.
Thanks for your time and consideration.
Jon C. Liberman
Rainmakers
847/251-3327
jon@rainmkrs.com
www.rainmakers.us
[FULL STORY]
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Competency Note - Reverse Engineering
Best Practice Ideas for New Product Development
by Sumpraxis
Dear Reader,
Many of Rainmakers clients are manufacturers and engaged in New Product development. They also rely on key Engineering resources to keep things running and continually improve production processes.
Your firm probably has dependencies on competent engineering capabilities to maintain competitive advantage (actually just to survive!). This SMOKE SIGNAL article introduces a Good Idea to consider to accomplish these objectives:
- Shorten lead times to market a new product
- Enhance the throughput of your Engineering operations while optimizing a critical business process.
Rainmakers Strategic Partner, Sumpraxis, elaborates a proven Rapid Product Development practice which utilizes technology and techniques to deliver Reverse Engineering solutions. Click on the Full Story below to learn more or click into these Sumpraxis Case Studies:
Surface Modeling & NC Programming
Design & Engineering Automation
Fixture Detailing
Rainmakers assists clients by the intelligent use of best practice, technology and human resources. Give me a call to discuss any concerns or learn more about how we add-value. Thanks for your time and continued consideration.
Jon C. Liberman
Rainmakers
847/251-3327
jon@rainmkrs.com
www.rainmakers.us
[FULL STORY]
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From Ladders to What? Can Ideas from Biological Sciences and Intelligent Systems Make Manufacturing Control Easier and More Reliable?
Best Practice Ideas for Manufacturing Excellence
by Gregg Ekberg, Highline Controls, Inc.
Dear Reader,
What does "Best Practice" really mean?
I can tell you one thing for certain! A Best Practice can only be understood in context of the situation you are looking for help or benchmarking in. In other words - situationally.
Given the complexity of modern Supply Chain considerations, and challenges in American manufacturing in particular, a Best Practice must enable one or more of the following:
- Lower the costs of Throughput by speeding up process, improving quality and buying more intelligently (Proactive/Strategic vs. Reactive/Tactical)
- Enhancing your customers experience (in B2B by enhancing your customers, customer experience), while expanding existing and new "Revenue Streams" (Leverage Product and/or Customer channels).
- Improving the performance of your Human Assets (both internal and external) by enhancing your employees satisfaction and quality of life. (Your Supply Chain relationships must be Win/Win.)
- Continuously evolve the culture in your business by incorporating the Continuous Improvement mind-set and by establishing the Support Systems needed to sustain this "Mind-Set" (Support Systems = Program Mgmt processes, Strategic & Budget planning process, IT services, Change Management skills, etc.).
Most any example of Competitive Advantage in the marketplace can be covered by one or more of these practices.
This SMOKE SIGNAL issue addresses a Best Practice related to improving the effectiveness and agility of your firm's manufacturing capability.
If you outsource most of your production, and are satisfied with the results, this White Paper : From Ladders to What? Can Ideas from Biological Sciences and Intelligent Systems Make Manufacturing Control Easier and More Reliable? From Rainmakers Partner, Gregg Ekberg, may not be of interest.
On the other hand, if internal Manufacturing capabilities are important to your firm click on the Full Story below to review Gregg's White Paper. Gregg will be speaking on this topic at the ISA Expo 2005 on Oct 26, 2005 at McCormick Place in Chicago (Click here to register)
Rainmakers Consortium consists of over 30 Strategic Partners, Like Gregg Ekberg's organizations (Highline Control and Phred L.L.C.), who specialize in specific Best Practices, Technology and Human Resource services and products geared towards complex mid-market businesses. Our Partners range from independent contractors, local boutique firms to multi-national operations.
To learn more call me or click here to send an e-mail. Thanks for your time and consideration. Let me know your thoughts.
Jon C. Liberman
Rainmakers
847/251-3327
jon@rainmkrs.com
www.rainmakers.us
[FULL STORY]
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