Our first visit to Adhesives Research and we were not dissapointed (except for those members companies who were absent). The 6S focus is serving this large (300+ employees and 400,000+ square feet) operation well. The tour made it obvious that A.R.’s hard work on culture is reaping rewards. Dr. Lean and the internally produced 6S video were the highlights. Thanks to all at A.R. for their hospitality and good work.
March 27th, 20081. Next Thursday we meet at Adhesives Research in Glen Rock PA . go to :http://leanthinkingnetwork.com/2008/02/09/next-network-meeting-thursday-march-27th-at-adhesives-research/
2. LETTERKENNY ARMY DEPOT – Network tour tentatively scheduled for Thursday July 10th.
Letterkenny has won two regional Shingo prizes and has applied again in 2008 for the North American award. Go to:
http://www.letterkenny.army.mil/
3. APRIL 10TH at Rose Corp with Dr. Steven Spear teleconference or videoconference (logistics depending) is still on. Don’t miss this one
March 20th, 2008Tell a person to do something and wait to see if they will do it. 1 out
of 10 may do it. You will have to force the other 9.
Ask a person to do something and wait to see if they will do it. 3 out
of 10 may do it. You will have to force the other 7.
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Japanese grocery stores had a problem. They are much smaller than their US counterparts and therefore don’t have room to waste. Watermelons, big and round, wasted a lot of space. Most people would simply tell the grocery stores that watermelons grow round and there is nothing that can be done about it. That is how I would assume the vast majority of people would respond. But some Japanese farmers took a different approach. If the supermarkets wanted a square watermelon, they asked themselves, “How can we provide one?” It wasn’t long before they invented the square watermelon.
Experience tells us that this example alone is just a part of what it takes to develop a true Continuous Improvement culture. Additional steps include the ability to identify waste, understanding of reliable methods to use as counter-measures, creating a favorable environment (cultural) for idea creation and implementation and then keeping everyone practiced all the time, in slow and busy times.
Dr. Spear has confirmed April 10, 2008 for a video or teleconference for our network. The event is to be help at Rose Corporation in Reading. Details to follow, including the number of attendees per company. Dr. Spear will present for roughly 20 minutes and then Q&A of 20 to 30 minutes will follow. Dr. Spear is a keynote speaker at the North American Shingo Prize Conference next month.
Don’t miss this one!!!
February 20th, 2008It is my pleasure to announce our next network meeting:
Where: Adhesives Research, 400 Seaks Run Road, Glen Rock, PA 17327, phone (Bill Stratton) 717-227-3254
When: Thursday March 27, 2008 from 8:30 until Noon
What: Focusing on Stability – 5S, Poka Yoke and Six-Sigma
Who: 2 representatives per member company
Why: This is our network’s first visit to Adhesives Research. Solid applications of 5S (6S), Poka Yoke and Six-Sigma will be the primary topics
Network News - Our teleconference/conference call with Steve Spear has been pushed back due to Steve’s demanding schedule (he is a Keynote Speaker at the National Shingo Prize Conference held in Dallas in March). We are hoping to schedule it in April 2008. I will let you know when we are able to firm up a date.
February 9th, 2008Visuals everywhere! Lots of Kaizen activity, improved flow, the world’s first “Heijunka cooler”, paced withdrawal etc. The Yoder Brothers team is making progress daily and training daily. Perhaps you get what you train to (and measure). Thanks to Yoder Brothers hosts for an insightful morning.
January 24th, 2008Please join me in welcoming the newest member to the network, Adhesives Research, Inc.
Adhesives Research is one of the world’s leading independent developers of high-performance, custom pressure-sensitive adhesives, tapes, coatings, specialty films, and laminates.
For over 44 years, our technology and products have set us apart and established our leadership in the pressure-sensitive adhesives industry. We serve the pharmaceutical, medical device and diagnostic, industrial, electronics, pulp and paper, and brand protection markets. We design and develop one-of-a-kind customized products for international Fortune 1000 companies who are leaders in their markets and who need a critical component so that they may develop a product for their specific applications.
go to: http://www.adhesivesresearch.com/ to read more.
December 28th, 2007It is my pleasure to announce our next network meeting:
Where: Yoder Brothers Greenhouse, 2369 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster PA 17602 phone: 717-299-0300
When: Thursday January 24, 2008 from 8:30 until Noon
What: From data base to visuals and kaizen culture
Who: 2 representatives per member company
Why: Yoder Brothers is constantly improving operations. The…”How, when, where, why, who and what” will be shown and discussed. Less data, more visuals? Yes, and they have made this transition work. Let’s go see.
December 10th, 2007A very interesting morning as our host at Misco (thanks to Tony, Dave & Todd) showed us photos of the fire destruction and discussed the “old” and “new” (not yet complete) facility layouts and proposed flows, pathways and connections. In addition we discussed the possibility of using Shingo Prize criteria to clarify opportunity and improvements within our network. Just speculation at this point, but an exciting challenge.
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