Process Improvement Leads To Growth, Streamlines Capacity

Situation

Packaging Specialties has benefited from their innovative packaging processes and machines by servicing over 20 different food and non-food industries. They have relied on excellent customer service to maintain these customers. However, in more recent years they have had difficulty sustaining continuous improvement. They were looking for growth through implementing innovative ways to improve their processes and streamline capacities.

Solution

Packaging Specialties, Inc. attended an open enrollment Lean 101 workshop offered by AMS, a NIST MEP affiliate. Following this workshop the plant manager and sustainability coordinator inquired about other Lean classes and certifications. At that time, the company’s Overall Equipment Effectiveness was running about 26%. A year later, the company contacted AMS about Kaizen events and problem solving training for some managers. Earlier this year, Packaging Specialties, Inc. took 16 supervisors and managers through the AMS Lean Certificate series customized for their manufacturing needs and processes.

Results

• Cost savings of $200,000
•  Improved Overall Equipment Effectiveness to all time high of 33%