WOW Project #102 Exact JobBOSS Empowers General Metal Works Issue: Sales are declining and competitors are cutting into our business.
Vision: Implement lean and invest in cutting-edge machines and technology to reposition the company.
Results: Sales volume doubled, finished goods inventory was reduced 800%, lead times and set up times were cut in half, achieved ISO certification.
Breaking Down Barriers American Machinist hosted its first Machine Shop Workshop in early November - a two-day event that was less about cutting metal than about running a metal-cutting business. When we started planning the event, we were determined that it would be something different. We envisioned a gathering of business owners who aren't afraid to put real problems out on the table for discussion with peers and friends; and who will offer help from their own hard-won experience.
Uncertainties Of a De-Valued Dollar In the mid-1980s, while I was serving as an economist with the U.S. Senate Banking Committee, I was called by a reporter from the Economist magazine who asked if I thought that the dollar and the British pound would achieve parity with one another. At that point the pound was selling at $1.03. Today it takes more than two dollars to buy a pound. The euro, which hit a valuation of $0.82 in summer of 2002, is now selling for more than $1.45.
Dormer and Precision Twist Drill Join Forces Precision Twist Drill became part of the Dormer Group, and the companies formed Precision Dormer for the NAFTA region. The companies now will act as one unit, to offering a range of metal-cutting products. High-performance, material/ application-specific tooling will be branded as Dormer. Precision and Union Butterfield will be the brand for general application drills, taps, end mills, dies and reamers.
Considerations For Forklift Free Plants Increasingly, companies are mandating the move to forklift free production floors on the basis of highly visible macro issues like safety improvements, reduced forklift lease and maintenance costs. However, there are many other less visible advantages with direct and secondary benefits that may play an important role in reducing costs and improving customer response. Identifying these benefits requires a big picture overview of the project as well as an understanding of how each department and suppliers, both internal and external, will be impacted.
Automotive Plant Improves Quality with Borescopes General Automotive Manufacturing Co. LLC (GAM) produces machined metal parts used in fuel systems, hydraulic assemblies, brake systems, and gas and diesel engines for clients such as Caterpillar, International, Mercury Marine, Stanadyne, Cummins, Actuant and Sheppard. The company has been in business since 1950, and specializes in machining components from carbon, alloy and stainless steels, and bar stock, cast or extruded aluminum.
| Archived American Machinist Webcast |
Is your software helping you achieve your business goals or holding you back?
Toolmakers and manufacturers are faced with a difficult decision when selecting design or manufacturing software solutions. With so many choices, making sure you have the right solution for your business can become a daunting exercise. While it's easy to get lost in the technical feature-ware presented by the vendors, toolmakers and manufacturers should focus on the solution's fit to their process and its contribution to their business goals. Click here to view the archived webcast!
| Industry Week Best Plants Conference |
No More Theories. Concrete Strategies.
Continuous improvement's got to start somewhere, but a lot of programs only talk about theories and advanced tactics. Get concrete at the 2008 IW Best Plants Conference. The conference's 45 sessions (including the seven-session Continuous Improvement 101 track) make lean make real sense to real operations. Plant tours and interviews with the IW Best Plants Winners also give the chance to get strategies that really apply to your operation. Click here to learn more about the conference.
| Practical Machinist Metalworking Forum |
Shop Lighting 1941 "It is comforting to know that my home shop lighting is up to 1941 standards."
Antique Hand-Powered Crane "These were once quite common in the UK where they were known as "Scotch Derricks"."
What Is This Tool Used For "I've taken Steve's advice."
AMERICAN MACHINIST DIGITAL EDITION
|
Now you can get the latest edition of American Machinist delivered directly to your PC.
Click here to learn more about the digital edition.
|
