by Dianna Brodine, Plastics Business When Paul Akers steps to the podium as a keynote speaker at MAPP's Annual Benchmarking & Best Practices Conference on October 11th, attendees will be prepared to begin a conversation about waste eradication and lean manufacturing. They might not expect the conversation to start with a bathroom – after six years of writing and editing … [Read more...] about Waste Eradication Culture Starts with a Toilet Seat: A Conversation with Paul Akers
Process Improvement
Product Development Pitfalls
by Tony Parker, Avance LLC Around our office, we have forbid ourselves from using the word "easy" when discussing client projects. Utter that word too often and Murphy's Law will eventually let you know that nothing is ever as simple as it first looks. The majority of these complications stem from issues that occur when sharing data with clients or strategic partners … [Read more...] about Product Development Pitfalls
Lights Out at Makuta Technics: Automation, Attitude Make High-Volume Unmanned Production Possible
by Dianna Brodine, Plastics Business Running a plastics processing facility "lights out," or without personnel on the manufacturing floor, requires all the elements - people, technology and product - to be perfectly in sync. Makuta Technics, Shelbyville, IN, has successfully maintained that balance since 1996, molding millions of parts each month with a staff of 10 and only … [Read more...] about Lights Out at Makuta Technics: Automation, Attitude Make High-Volume Unmanned Production Possible
Using Commercial Purging Compounds
By John Pizzo, Sun Plastech, Inc. Have questions or doubts about the use of a commercial purging compound (CPC) prevented you from using one? Perhaps you already use a CPC, but wonder if it's being used correctly or if it's the best one for a specific application? You're not alone. Below are commonly asked questions about purging compounds. Question: Why should we use a … [Read more...] about Using Commercial Purging Compounds
The Operational Impact of the Morning Huddle
An ownership transition at SPI Industries, South Bend, IN, triggered a re-evaluation of operational methodologies throughout the plant. With a desire to "turn the culture and turn the ship," President James Doster implemented a morning meeting to share critical benchmarks and process updates with his staff. Previously, the management team would review metrics once a month — … [Read more...] about The Operational Impact of the Morning Huddle