Manufacturing World Class Manufacturing

¶ … Manufacturing

Seven Key Elements for Successful Implementation

Norman Binette, Jr.

Biddeford, Maine

Manufacturing organizations are built on the premise that they possess the ability to provide a wide variety of quality products for their customers. This reputation is dependent upon the constant review of existing processes and the identification of new and innovative methods of production that will enhance and increase the diversification of product lines. One such process that has proven itself as a valuable commodity in recent decades is World Class Manufacturing. This process involves a number of complex steps encompassing a variety of business units that are subject to continuous review and improvement. This process is designed to maximize employee productivity at all levels of the organization, from the assembly line to executive management. A successful World Class Manufacturing strategy will provide the organization with numerous opportunities for growth and will enable a successful transition to unique and innovative production methods.

THE PROBLEM

Businesses face constant pressure from their customers to reduce pricing as a result of highly competitive market conditions in a globally aggressive environment. Failure to repeatedly reduce costs could ultimately lead to the loss of future profitability and the demise of the firm. It is often puzzling for firms of all sizes to identify ways to reduce costs on a continuous basis to simultaneously sustain productivity and improve profitability. As a result, many organizations are left behind since they do not possess the appropriate resources and knowledge to successfully promote their business strengths. Subsequently, the failure to implement a strategy for business growth with intensity and clarity will lead to a premature demise. Businesses must take a proactive approach in the development of innovative strategies, but the means by which such lofty objectives are achieved are often bewildering and are limited by available resources, particularly in manufacturing environments.

METHOD

This study will identify the primary steps that are necessary to implement a World Class Manufacturing strategy in an organization. The research will not concentrate on one specific industry or business size. Rather, to maintain a well-rounded approach, businesses small, medium and large will be evaluated and the appropriate strategies for implementation will be discussed. The researcher possesses extensive training and in-house experience with the entire process of World Class Manufacturing, including the Seven Key Elements, which will be discussed in detail in the body of this dissertation.

In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the World Class Manufacturing strategy in various businesses, a feasibility study will be conducted by utilizing a simple survey instrument that will be distributed to manufacturing organizations across the New England States. Identification of the appropriate businesses to which surveys should be disseminated will be determined by the researcher through the independent study of the manufacturing sector in this geographic area. The researcher will identify one hundred manufacturing organizations that produce a variety of products, and these will serve as the initial study participants. Surveys will be sent to the Chief Operating Officer or a person in a similar position within a given firm. After the initial surveys have been completed and returned, the researcher will select the top fifty responses based upon a predetermined set of criteria. These fifty organizations will then be provided with a more comprehensive survey that describes their organizations and their exposure to World Class Manufacturing in greater detail. The research will permit the author to identify the most critical needs and concerns related to the process and its recognition throughout the manufacturing community. The results will isolate the most important characteristics of World Class Manufacturing that must be in place in order for the process to revolutionize a specific organization as well as other similar and diverse organizations. These characteristics will improve upon the existing World Class Manufacturing model that can be implemented in a variety of organizations of all sizes and product segments.

FINDINGS