Below is a real story with multiple timely and important messages from one of our area manufacturing leaders who has chosen to remain anonymous. One of the important messages… Yes, it’s important to be as efficient as possible in how we do things (continual process improvement). But if we want sustainable success, we also have… Read More
Posts by Russ Lawrence
Innovation as a Science and System
A very good (and short – 3 pages big print) research-based article on innovation as a system. Very much supports the whole concept that is Innovation Engineering – that innovation is a systemizable business practice that any organization can on-board and benefit from. And consistent with IE concepts and ideas. Whether CI or Innovation, it’s… Read More
One Page Manufacturing Technologies Guide
A rapidly evolving part of advancing your Continuous Improvement (CI) system, specific practices and initiatives is understanding the various technologies that can be applied to support solutions. This technology advancement is a big deal but can get messed up (lose money) or be very beneficial (make money). And your role can have much to do… Read More
“Five Innovation Lessons from 3M”
I read a good innovation quote today from 3M. “Research is the transformation of money into knowledge; innovation is the transformation of knowledge into money.” Of course 3M is a huge company with many resources including research departments. So let’s interpret that quote to identify meaning for much smaller manufacturing companies with far fewer resources… Read More
Collaborative Robots and Lean/Continuous Improvement
I attended a collaborative robots (cobots) event yesterday that IMC cosponsored with the PA CareerLink for Columbia/Montour Counties and thought it worth a few observations within the context of lean/ continuous improvement. The Perfect Process Let’s ask ourselves… What is the perfect production process? Well, a process that’s being performed the “current one best way”… Read More
Millennials, Hiring & Retention
Dear Manufacturing Leaders – Much talk about millennials these days and in particular as relates to manufacturing. Below is a link to a pretty good article about attracting and retaining people and millennials in particular – the fastest growing generation in the workplace. Jeff Kopenitz mentioned this fellow Jason Dorsey as the guru of workplace… Read More
K’Nex Toys US Success from Continuous Improvement
I attended a manufacturing event recently and the keynote speaker was Michael Araten, President and CEO of K’Nex Brands, L.P. (Creative Construction Toys for kids).
August Lean Users Group Meeting Key Points – Metrics
Our Mission – Bring World-Class Continuous Improvement/Lean Practices to Central Pennsylvania Manufacturers. Wow, thanks to all August Lean Users Group attendees for your very valuable inputs. I learned a ton. I tried to capture key takeaways below, in no particular order. But first, how about a learn and do challenge? How about we all (each… Read More
July Lean Users Support Group Summary – Pre-Shift Meetings
Our Mission – Bring World-Class Continuous Improvement/Lean Practices to Central Pennsylvania Manufacturers. Summary notes and attachments from last week’s Lean Users Support Group session, a series of no-cost, monthly, 2 hour, CI learn and share sessions hosted by IMC. Thanks to all who attended. There were many great examples (working & not working), insights, questions… Everybody… Read More
10 Benefits of Standard Work – Lean Users Group
Our Mission – Bring World-Class Continuous Improvement/Lean Practices to Central Pennsylvania Manufacturers. At the end of the PMF Lean Certification, we received unanimous feedback that the group wanted to continue meeting and learning. In response, we’ve started a monthly Lean Users Group Workshop series on the 4th Tuesday of every month here at IMC’s Williamsport… Read More