From the development of a quote, to the impact of paper processing on lead time, to getting paid for the job, the importance of Lean in the office is unmistakable. And, just as it is on the shop floor, workplace organization in the office makes a bottom- line difference.

While an organized workspace is no doubt appealing to the eye, the value of implementing a 5S Kaizen event in the front office extends beyond simply creating an orderly appearance. The process of Sorting (organizing), Setting in Order (ordering), Shining (inspecting & cleaning), Standardizing (practicing), and Sustaining (creating discipline) your front office functions will generate more value added output per worker. It is an improvement in productivity, safety, and quality that will go right to the bottom line.

The ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System is an international standard that benefits small manufacturers, as well as many other industries; but how?

• ISO 9001:2000 certification creates a process standard, which in turn, creates a product or service standard.
• ISO 9001:2000 certification allows for continual improvement of your processes based on a standard of objective measures.
• ISO 9001:2000 certification provides a means for internal personnel, or external parties, such as customers or registrars, to measure and check the organization.
• ISO 9001:2000 certification provides small manufacturers with the opportunity to pursue business with industries that require their suppliers to have ISO 9001 certification; such as the automotive market, steel producers, foundries, aircraft parts manufacturers and other businesses.
• ISO 9001:2000 certification shows that your organization holds itself to a higher standard and demonstrates it by voluntarily allowing an independent external source to audit its processes.

Several very large organizations, including Wal-Mart, Target, the Department of Defense and others have already begun to implement RFID or Radio Frequency Identification, technology to identify and track items throughout their extended enterprise. They are starting to require the use of RFID by their suppliers, and these mandates will eventually affect every organization in the supply chain, right down to the smallest manufacturer, distributor, and retailer, which probably means YOU.

So it’s important to start learning about it, start thinking about how it will affect your business, and to get the help required to revise your business operations and strategy to exploit this technology so that it can become a profit center.

One of the best ways to do this is to contact your local Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center to do an assessment of your business and see where and how it could be applied to your business. Call Today (801) 863-8637 for your RFID assessment!

Every quarter, the U.S. Department of Commerce surveys the clients of MEP Utah to make sure that the services they provide are having a positive impact on the manufacturers in the state.

Here are the latest impact results from the Department of Commerce Survey of MEP Clients - 1st Quarter 2006.

Magazine Article, Source : The Manufacturer US
Published : 18 May 2006 14:59

The government takes criticism for the regulations it throws in the way of manufacturers, but its agencies work hard to support the sector.

Manufacturers can find a wealth of assistance from federal, regional, state and local agencies, much of it free or at a reduced cost. Depending on whether a manufacturing company is expanding, relocating, developing new products or technologies, trying to be more effective or competing in a global marketplace, there are many agencies that stand ready to help.