More in Process Improvement

Jan. 17, 2013

Article

IndustryWeek

Leadership and Strategy: Will Your Company Become Social in 2013?

Most small- to medium-size businesses have been slow to get on the social media bandwagon, but that is about to change, according to Constant Contact, the online marketing firm....More
Oct. 23, 2012

News

IndustryWeek

Boeing Ramps Up 777 Production to Record Rate

Boeing said it has implemented a number of new technologies to achieve the production-rate increase, including flex-track drilling machines in the 777 body and wings area, and automated spray-painting equipment....More
Oct. 15, 2012

Article

Processes: Time to Improve or Time to Innovate?

When innovation thinking meets lean thinking, new horizons arise....More
Oct. 8, 2012

News

New GM Tech Center in Michigan to Employ 1,500

It is the second of four planned "innovation centers," including a recently-announced facility in Austin, Texas, that will employ 500 people....More
Sep. 4, 2012

Commentary

Lean Manufacturing Mindset Means Continuous Innovation at Boeing

The company's success at constantly improving its manufacturing processes eliminates 34 days of airplane-assembly time -- and helps Boeing thrive in a highly competitive industry....More
Aug. 21, 2012

Article

IndustryWeek

Crown's Products Give it a Lift in Manufacturing

At Crown Equipment, process innovation begins with 'our own stuff.'...More
Aug. 21, 2012

Commentary

Six Easy Criteria for Targeting a Good Process

The key is to continuously drive improvement in the process to advance its maturity and better deliver product to customers....More
Aug. 16, 2012

News

IndustryWeek

Manufacturing Strategy Plays a Key Role in GM's Revival

'In many ways, the manufacturing strategy is helping us redefine and reinvent how we do business in General Motors,' said Scott Whybrew, GM's executive director of global manufacturing engineering....More
Aug. 15, 2012

News

IndustryWeek

GM Applies 'Keep it Simple' to Small-Car Manufacturing

Through simplified processes, new technologies and a flexible union contract, GM has found a cost-competitive approach to building the subcompact Chevy Sonic -- in Michigan....More
Aug. 11, 2012

blog

How Have NASA Spinoff Technologies Affected YOUR Industry?

A database of NASA Spinoff technologies holds a set of amazing research papers that demonstrate the application of technologies developed for NASA's programs in the military and consumer spheres....More
Aug. 7, 2012

News

IndustryWeek

Chrysler Uses 3-D to Make Powertrain Manufacturing Safer, More Efficient

In the midst of an epic revival, Chrysler Group LLC has been launching new vehicles, engines and transmissions at a furious pace. The automaker has turned to 3-D modeling software to help its manufacturing operations keep up -- safely and cost-effectively. The software enables Chrysler to assimilate the principles of its continuous-improvement methodology -- World Class Manufacturing, or WCM -- early on in the planning process, Chrysler powertrain-manufacturing executive Brian Harlow explained Monday....More
Jun. 27, 2012

Commentary

Intelligent Innovation: How One Manufacturer Overhauled its Order-to-Delivery Process

What do you do when climbing costs and a rising competitive environment clearly dictate the need for re-engineering your order-to-delivery processes?...More
Jun. 21, 2012

Education

The Leadership Triangle, Part 3: Demanding Sustainability

This two-hour online training session will enable you to make rapid problem solving pervasive throughout your organization. Wes Waldo will guide you through setting up a rapid problem solving area, tying rapid problem solving into the three-tiered meeting structure, and establishing a culture that empowers associates to solve their own problems. Earn continuing education credits too....More
Jun. 4, 2012

article

Innovation Lessons Learned from 3M

While many discussions about innovation begin and end with Apple, there's much to learn from the creator of Post-it Notes and Scotch tape....More
May 30, 2012

article

IndustryWeek

Making Your Management Processes 'Friendlier to Innovation'

How much has your company invested in front-line workers' innovation skills? How much bureaucracy do workers have to go through to test new ideas? And does anybody care whether shop-floor employees innovate? Author and business strategist Gary Hamel wants...More
May 25, 2012

article

IndustryWeek

For Innovation to Flourish in Your Organization, 'Bureaucracy Must Die'

In Part 1 of IndustryWeek's conversation with Gary Hamel, the influential author and business strategist explains why the modern management paradigm could be stifling innovation in your organization....More
May 17, 2012

article

IndustryWeek

Will 'Desktop Manufacturing' Save the U.S. Economy?

Chris Anderson believes the combination of web-enabled open sourcing and cheap manufacturing technology is the key to creating 'the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs in manufacturing.'...More
May 17, 2012

Education

The Leadership Triangle, Part 2: Creating Accountability

In this two-hour online training session, instructor and Lean master consultant Wes Waldo will cover two fundamental concepts that enable leaders to achieve accountability throughout their organization: Leadership 5S and Genba Level Accountability. Earn continuing education credits too....More
May 16, 2012

article

IndustryWeek

Making Your ERP System Work for You

I.B.I.S. CEO lays out some best practices for successful ERP software deployment....More
May 16, 2012

Article

IndustryWeek

Advanced Machining Answers the Call to Do More with Less

As demand returns and skilled workers remain scarce, high-efficient machine tools with new functionality help shoulder the load....More
May 14, 2012

article

IndustryWeek

Lockheed Martin Gives Innovation New Wings

Technological developments help cut production costs in addition to new market opportunities....More
May 3, 2012

Commentary

What Steps Are You Taking To Automate Your Warehouse?

High-level communication transforms the warehouse environment to provide faster delivery to demanding customers and virtually guarantees that the journey from online order to warehouse to your mailbox is accurate and fast....More
Apr. 26, 2012

article

IndustryWeek

A Reborn Ford Motor Co. Drives Toward 'Full Flexibility'

Once severely 'limited by mass production,' Ford has invested heavily in flexible manufacturing plants to enable the automaker to quickly adapt to changes in market demand, Ford manufacturing VP Jim Tetreault explained at IndustryWeek's 2012 Best Plants C...More
Apr. 26, 2012

Education

The Leadership Triangle, Part 1: Providing Alignment

In this two-hour online training session, instructor and Lean master consultant Wes Waldo will introduce you to three key concepts that will enable you to effectively provide alignment throughout your organization: Genba Leadership, Leadership Standard Work, and the Tool Map. Earn continuing education credits too....More
Jan. 31, 2012

article

IndustryWeek

Box-Swap Process Helps GM-Fort Wayne Keep on Truckin'

The plant came up with a 'creative process' to accommodate heavy-duty pickup trucks that were too large for its conveyance system, plant manager Mike Glinski says....More