Automating Wall Panel Production Joe Kannapell To expedite the adoption of pre-built wall panels, shop labor must be significantly lower than site labor. That means replacing hand-nailing, measuring, cutting, and manhandling with practices that have been proven in truss fabrication. In addition, major builders and reluctant framers demand... Read More December 2017 Issue #10221 Page 20
Mistake Proofing the Communication Quote and Order Process Todd Drummond In lean terminology, there is a term called Poka-Yoke, which, roughly translated from Japanese, means to mistake-proof the manufacturing process. A more accurate translation could be “inadvertent error prevention.” In a nutshell, one tries to make any manufacturing process... Read More December 2017 Issue #10221 Page 30
No Waste Path Using TIMWOODS Ben Hershey Part 9 in our TIMWOODS Series Hey TimWoods, it’s time to take a pause with your Gemba walk and talk about a Waste Reduction plan using what we learned in this series. Throughout this series, our friend TimWoods has helped us focus on the wastes of Transportation, Inventory, Motion,... Read More December 2017 Issue #10221 Page 46
Is Your Staff Ready for Change? Keith Parker You have reached a tipping point and have come to the realization that continuing down your current path will only yield greater pain and more of the same results. Change will bring benefits, you and the senior staff have identified what is in it for the key drivers, and management has committed... Read More December 2017 Issue #10221 Page 76
Is a Linear Saw Paired with Each Roof Truss Assembly Table a Magic Cure for the Best Lean System? Todd Drummond A current trend in our industry is that the component manufacturers are being advised that one should have a fully automated lumber retrieval system linked to an automated linear saw that pushes the cut lumber directly to the assembly table with an auto puck system. This type of setup is often... Read More November 2017 Issue #10220 Page 28
Is Your Organization Ready for Change? Keith Parker The pace of today’s business requires agility and the ability to change. But beware, “change” can be difficult on you, your staff, and your company. Sometimes change is accomplished with small steps, other times you might have to destruct the very structures that have taken... Read More November 2017 Issue #10220 Page 72
Are You Ready for Change? Keith Parker The pace of today’s business requires agility and change to maintain success. That is the reality of our situation. But be warned: “change” is difficult. Sometimes it requires tinkering, other times it means tearing down the very structures that have taken you to the point of... Read More October 2017 Issue #10219 Page 78
Pride Can Blind Us All From Seeing and Learning Things For Better Bottom Line Results Todd Drummond It has taken our industry quite a few years, but once again it is common for wood component companies for a 15%+ EBITDA in normal markets, in which the sales exceed a two-week lead time. Many are exceeding 20% EBITDA. Do you know how well your company did in comparison to the average? Perhaps... Read More September 2017 Issue #10218 Page 24
Improve Your Production Processes and Say “NO” to Waste Ben Hershey Part 7 in our TIMWOODS series Reducing Over-Processing is a critical part of creating an efficient lean production/distribution company. As our friend Tim Woods has been guiding us through our lumber yards, manufacturing operations, and offices, we’ve seen a lot of wastes. Now... Read More September 2017 Issue #10218 Page 38
Improve Your Motion and Waiting Ben Hershey Part 6 in our TIMWOODS series Clearly, there are many different ways that people waste time, money, and resources, but throughout our series my objective is providing new ways for you to think about the opportunities in your operation. In previous articles, we’ve talked about the wastes... Read More August 2017 Issue #10217 Page 36