Manufacturing News for today, February 6.
Inspirational Women in Manufacturing
The Manufacturing Institute’s STEP program (Women in Science, Technology, Engineering andd Production) recognized 130 outstanding women in manufacturing. From welders to CEO’s and everything in between you have to be impressed when you read the statements and bios of these 130 folks. If there are any Neanderthals out there who still think manufacturing leadership is somehow related to testosterone it is becoming more and more apparent they are about to get steamrolled. Great film clip of the women here:
One Man’s Creativity is Another Man’s Quality Train Wreck
Article in Motherboard praising a Chinese guy for his “entrepreneurial spirit”.. He has a surface mount machine in his living room. Seems a better theme for the article – which has been picked up by business news sites all over the Net – would have been to point out that this Chinese cultural orientation that anything that makes money is good goes a long way toward explaining why China’s quality reputation is laughable. Not all electronics require clean rooms, but they require something better than the same room where this guy and his family eat; and you would think he should have at least a passing concern or things like static electricity. But if you’re in China for low cost, and little else matters, I suppose he’s your man.
Lean & Six Sigma World Conference
I am looking forward to speaking at and attending the Lean & Six Sigma World Conference in San Diego in a couple of weeks. It is one of the few annual events I have on my ‘don’t miss’ list. I especially enjot catching up with Marco Luzatti from Greenville Tech. marco has quietly made a contribution to manufacturing excellence in South Caroline that few can match.
The Wood Folks Have it Going On
Much like the textile article the other day, this one from the wood components manufacturers where things are getting stronger. Especially impressive are the comments from Phil Bibeau, who is the executive director of the Wood Products Manufacturers Association. He said, “The biggest opportunities will come to those companies that have implemented a strong Lean management system within their manufacturing process. Those companies that have managed their cash and are able to respond quickly with rapid turnaround times will benefit from increased product demand.” And “As more and more products that were once produced in Asia are re-shored, those companies that can act as partners with their customers will see an increase in business.”
He’s right on the money. Inventory turnover – flow – is still the most fundamental measure of ‘leanness’. And inventory flow and cash flow are two sides of the same coin. Great to see the woodies get it at the industry association level.
About Bill Waddell
You’re funny. I mean, I have you on my Google Reader to read and inspire me each day (and will continue to do so), but I think you’ve missed the point with your jab at the Chinese guy who is making circuit boards in his living room I’m not so sure you’re just up for a steady bashing of the Chinese or something, but frankly we could do with a large number of folks like Mr Chen here in the US (though as is quickly pointed out that can’t happen because of the numerous regulations which eliminate both his output and entrepreneurial manufacturing spirit. I guess in the scheme of lean, you’ve got to have a fairly good sized manufacturing plant or at least something large enough to afford a “Lean Consultant” to have credibility. Instead of running him into the ground, we would do well to pay heed to the Motherboard post, and promote grassroots small scale customized manufacturing since I suspect it’s a whole lot leaner than the kaizen committees that seem to be popularly popping in deadwood corporations all over this country.