Estes Incorporates New Medical Cell as Part of Expansion

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  Contracted a company, Ro12 Enterprises, to create a strategy focused on lean initiatives and cellular manufacturing


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  Provided ongoing training to over 40 employees focused on waste versus value-added activities in the manufacturing process


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  Hosting of Kaizen events on a recurring basis to drive continuous improvement


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  Redesigning manufacturing layouts and processes toward cellular manufacturing (see characteristics below)

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  One-piece flow


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  Machines in order of process


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  Small, inexpensive and dedicated equipment


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  Multi-process handling workers


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  Easy moving/standing operations


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  Production paced to task time


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  Pull production


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  Standard operations defined


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  Short lead time


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  High ration of VA to NVA

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  It places an emphasis on the product (or service) we provide to the customer as the purpose of our company.


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  All other activities are not the purpose.


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  It sets a mindset that a perfect product is possible.


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  It focuses on the fact that customers can have exactly what they want, when they want it, at competitive prices.


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  It emphasizes that all buffers are waste – extra time, space, inventory, people, tools, etc.


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  It stresses that indirect activities should be eliminated as they do not add value to the part, for which the customer is paying.


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  It dictates that improvement is always both possible and necessary, through Kaizen.


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  It empowers and challenges employees to continuously improve and eliminate waste rather than just put in their time.


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  It underscores that all relationships are long term – employee, supplier, distributor, owner and especially customer.

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  Reduced lead-times


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  Improved quality


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  Competitive pricing


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  Consistent, on-time delivery

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