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February 10,
2005
Velan has launched a new improvement program named TPI for Total Process Improvement. The goals of this program are to increase on-time delivery and reduce lead times. The first initiative within the program is the Lean Initiative, which seeks to reduce non-value added activity within our business processes in order to create a more balanced and efficient production system.
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| By implementing lean tools, we can reduce non value added activities to make our processes more efficient. |
Velan has made a large investment to secure the services of TopTech, a
leading consulting firm, to assist us with the implementation of this important initiative. TopTech has over 10 years of experience in implementing lean manufacturing systems and has worked with over 300 companies. Their consultants will guide us through a 3-step methodology
to transform our processes:
1. Provide lean training. TopTech will provide lean training to our
employees on numerous levels. All Velan employees (physically
located within the North American network of plants) will be required
to complete Toptech’s 1-day lean awareness and simulation training
course. Personnel that are selected to work on "kaizen" projects will
receive additional training on the use of specific lean tools.
2. Develop an action plan. After conducting a diagnostic to better understand our business, Toptech will animate a brainstorming
session with key plant-level staff to develop an action plan for change.
3. Conduct "kaizen" projects. Toptech will assist Velan to implement its
action plan by leading the first 3 "kaizen" projects in each plant, ('kai'
meaning change and 'zen' meaning for the better). Toptech has already
trained 2 or 3 Velan employees in each plant as Kaizen Trainers so that
we will be able to complete kaizen projects on our own in the future.
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| Velan senior executives during the lean manufacturing boat simulation. |
Velan's Lean Initiative was originally launched in April 2004 in select plants,
but has since been expanded to include all North American plants. To
date, over 700 Velan employees have completed the lean awareness and simulation training course, including all Velan senior executives. Action
plans have been finalized for all plants. The plants have completed 5 kaizen
projects that are already yielding excellent results. We look forward to providing future updates on the progress of the
Lean Initiative and to reporting the improvements in on-time delivery and
lead time reduction.
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| Stephan Mercier (left) receives Six-Sigma Black Belt certification from
Gino St-Pierre of Toptech Consulting Group. |
Velan has already begun planning for its next initiative within the TPI Program. The Six-Sigma Initiative seeks to eliminate variation from our processes to improve consistency and quality. We are pleased to
announce that Stephan Mercier (Plant 2) has successfully completed
Six-Sigma training and is certified as Velan’s first Six-Sigma Black Belt.
We look forward to launching the Six-Sigma Initiative later on this year.
Last Updated:
March 8, 2005 12:22 PM
EST
©2005 Velan Inc. All rights reserved. |
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