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Commercial Copywriting and Consulting |
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Sample Case Study Copy for the Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center
IMEC Improves Workflow and Minimizes Waste for Rockford Manufacturer
Company: Barnes International Location: Rockford, Illinois Web: www.barnesintl.com Employees: 25 Products: High quality precision industrial filtration systems for the metal working industry.
Situation Barnes International produces an array of filtration equipment for grinding, honing, and cutting machine manufacturers. While the company has an impressive record of growth and patent awards behind it, it has nevertheless faced recent challenges. Specifically, an inefficient plant floor layout in its Rockford facility, with an associated slow and inefficient flow of materials along the production line, made it increasingly difficult to keep pace with smaller competitors in a softening machine tool market.
IMEC Solution IMEC consultants performed a competitiveness review of the Barnes International facility, analyzing the flow of materials at four key locations in the building. Floor personnel, instrumental in helping to identify key needs and challenges, were actively encouraged to provide input. With their participation, IMEC developed a revised layout to accommodate current operation and production demands more effectively, improve workflow, and incorporate lean operating principles.
Project Results Manufacturing efficiency has been achieved and maintained. Productivity levels have increased dramatically while inefficient activities and processes have been eliminated. Capital spending has been reduced by $563,000.
“I was impressed by the IMEC consultants. They were easy to work with and guided us through the entire process. Our architectural metal products operation has seen the most marked improvements, but all of our operations in general have been dramatically cleaned up. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend IMEC to other companies who want to improve their manufacturing processes." Carl Springer, Vice President of Engineering |