Milestone celebrated by improving productivity, quality, delivery
WIKA Instrument Corporation recently celebrated its 300th Kaizen event which took on the task of improving productivity, quality and delivery, as well as updating standard work and developing data for routing purposes for the 1830 production cell
WIKA Instrument Corporation (WIKA) recently celebrated its 300th Kaizen event. The Kaizen took on the task of improving productivity, quality and delivery, as well as updating standard work and developing data for routing purposes for the 1830 production cell. This cell produces WIKA’s 23X.30, 23X.50 and 23X.54 stainless steel 4” pressure gauges.
Kaizen’s are practices that focus on the continuous improvement of processes in manufacturing, engineering, business processes and management. Kaizen’s are based on making small changes on a consistent basis and continually improving productivity and eliminating waste.
Since WIKA conducted its first Kaizen in June 2001, the company reportedly averaged one event per week for the next nine years. By investing over 96,000 hours and 70 percent of WIKA’s workforce into Kaizen participation over time, WIKA has allegedly seen a 40% increase in productivity without an increase in labor. “Reaching 300 Kaizen events is an accomplishment that solidifies WIKA’s commitment to Lean manufacturing and principals,” said Director of Continuous Improvement and Quality, Rick Reed.
WIKA has solved problems ranging from making improvements to work areas and eliminating waste, such as converting pressure gauges from a manual line to an automated line—saving WIKA approximately $141,000—to business operations and how to conduct expedite procedures through our order entry system starting in order entry and finishing in shipping. In 2010, Kaizen events reportedly produced a cost savings of approximately $600,000 for WIKA.
In 2010, WIKA took the next steps in its lean journey by introducing Six Sigma and Green Belt training to its workforce. Six Sigma is the process of identifying and removing defects and errors. Green Belt certified employees are the experts in Six Sigma methods.
WIKA Instrument Corporation
- Edited by Amanda McLeman, Plant Engineering, www.plantengineering.com
- Related News:
Yaskawa tops 1 million inverters manufactured - 06.10.2011 10:35- Pressure transmitter - 04.05.2011 14:32
- Kaizen event: 7 important tips for more efficient manufacturing - 04.04.2011 12:03
- Hybrid technology - 01.01.2010 07:00
- MCAA: How to smooth product certification
- 22.07.2008 06:00
Case Study Database
Get more exposure for your case study by uploading it to the Plant Engineering case study database, where end-users can identify relevant solutions and explore what the experts are doing to effectively implement a variety of technology and productivity related projects.
These case studies provide examples of how knowledgeable solution providers have used technology, processes and people to create effective and successful implementations in real-world situations. Case studies can be completed by filling out a simple online form where you can outline the project title, abstract, and full story in 1500 words or less; upload photos, videos and a logo.
Click here to visit the Case Study Database and upload your case study.
2012 Salary Survey
In a year when manufacturing continued to lead the economic rebound, it makes sense that plant manager bonuses rebounded. Plant Engineering’s annual Salary Survey shows both wages and bonuses rose in 2012 after a retreat the year before.
Average salary across all job titles for plant floor management rose 3.5% to $95,446, and bonus compensation jumped to $15,162, a 4.2% increase from the 2010 level and double the 2011 total, which showed a sharp drop in bonus.