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Home : Leadership & Strategy : Benchmarking

Benchmarking

Stand next to the best and see if your company measures up. In this section IW reports the metrics that matter.
2009 IW Best Plants Winners: Focused on Excellence
World-Class Manufacturing flourishes among IndustryWeek's 2009 Best Plants Winners.

One purpose behind IndustryWeek's annual salute to manufacturing excellence is to recognize plants that are on the leading edge of efforts to increase competitiveness, enhance customer satisfaction, and create stimulating and rewarding work environments. Now in its 20th year, the 2009 IW Best Plants competition once again is demonstrating that manufacturing excellence continues to flourish across North America.

For example, at E-Z-GO in Augusta, Ga., a relentless pursuit of continuous improvement has helped this maker of golf and utility vehicles bring back in-house work that previously had been outsourced. Lean manufacturing has driven improvements in performance metrics ranging from inventory turns and first-pass yields to productivity.

Read on to see the rest of the list.

Benchmarking Articles & News
Measuring the Success of Lean

Selecting the best mileposts for the never-ending journey.

'Confidence in Leadership Index' Reveals Cautious Optimism Heading Into New Year

The most important leadership factors are strategic skills and operating skills.

2009 IW Best Plants Winners: Focused on Excellence

World-Class Manufacturing flourishes among IndustryWeek's 2009 Best Plants Winners.

Batesville Casket Co.: IW Best Plants Profile 2009

Creating a Culture of Self Improvement: Lean isn't just a project at Batesville Manchester; it's becoming part of the plant's foundation.

Carrier - Carlyle Compressor Facility: IW Best Plants Profile 2009

Unwavering Focus: At Carrier - Carlyle Compressor Facility, ACE methodology drives a structured approach to excellence.

E-Z-GO: IW Best Plants Profile 2009

E-Z-GO Charts a Course for Competitiveness: Benchmarking initiatives and employee engagement help increase market share and profitability.

General Cable Corp. - Altoona Plant: IW Best Plants Profile 2009

Competing With the World: With savvy market moves and a passion for continuous improvement, the General Cable Altoona plant is meeting the competition head on and winning.

General Cable - Piedras Negras: IW Best Plants Profile 2009

Operators Lead the Way: An empowered workforce is the foundation of success for General Cable's Piedras Negras, Mexico, facility.

Masco - Builder Cabinet Group: IW Best Plants Profile 2009

Masco Takes It 'One Kitchen at a Time': Single-piece flow process has helped plant endure one of the worst housing downturns in U.S. history.

Raytheon SAS Advanced Products Center: IW Best Plants Profile 2009

A Critical Mission: The success of U.S. war fighters drives Raytheon APC's push for continuous improvement.