B&L Today

In the Sales and Marketing Department, we consider ourselves the canary in the coal mine. When the industry slows, we are the 1st department to feel it. Client Services usually has a steady work load and R&D always is working on new releases of the software. The Sales and Marketing Department is also the 1st department to notice when things start picking up. And boy, are things picking up. We expect to close two accounts in the next two weeks (despite the economic challenges, we have had a terrific 2009) and have several more accounts on the horizon. The new client announcements will follow shortly. This all bodes well for our industry.

Our 24th annual User Conference is right around the corner. This year we will have a panel discussion on Lean Manufacturing. We have four customers participating as panelists. Those companies are; Bremen Castings, The Buck Company, Sivyer Steel and Pace Industries. I will MC the event and am looking forward to hearing these companies lean experiences.

That is it for today. I am hitting the beach this evening. It will be warm and the waves should be rough!

Six Sigma v. Lean

I have always been intrigued with the manufacturing process. Back in my production days, I loved taking a manufacturing problem, breaking it down into its component pieces, discover the variation, fix the variation, then measure to ensure success. When success comes, what a great feeling.


One question that continuly pops up is "What is the difference between Lean and Six Sigma? I hit the old internet and found some great internet battles raging about the differences. I was able to find a few logical discussions and this is what I learned.


Lean Manufacturing

Lean manufacturing focuses on eliminating waste. The focus on Lean is breaking down the process to the bare bones. If the activity does not add value, it is waste. The typical methodology for implementing Lean is:

1. Identify the value

2. Determine the value stream

3. Determine the flow

4. Define flow

5. Improve process.



Six Sigma

Six Sigma focuses on eliminating problems with the manufactured product. The primary tool sets of Six Sigma is math and statistics. Six Sigma typically uses the DMAIC method. DMAIC is:

1. Define high level goals and the current process.

2. Measure key aspects of the current process and collect relevant data.

3. Analyze the data to verify the cause and effect relationships. Determine what the relationships are and attempt to ensure all factors have been considered.

4. Improve or optimize the the process based upon data analysis.

5. Control to ensure all deviations from target are corrected before they result in defects.

My Take:

If you are in the metalcasting business, you will want to incorporate some of each of these strategies into your plant. By reducing waste, you will keep the costs down, for both yourself and for you customers. Similarly, by reducing defects you will have satisifed customers. You will also reduce rework and scrap, both of which directly affect your bottom-line.

Well, I am on vacation for the next week or so. Have a good one.

Waves Were Pounding

The other side of the Lake is supposed to be Chicago.

Sunday morning Laurel (my wife) suggested we deviate from our norm of going to church and instead go hit the beach. I don't have to be asked twice for that! Especially with the 20 MPH winds generating 2-4 foot waves. The kids and I spent about 3 hours crashing into the waves. The beach we go is about five minutes from our house and is on Lake Michigan. If you are not from around here, you have no idea of the size and power of Lake Michigan. Those waves absolutely pounded me.

Lake Michigan Facts:

Is the 3rd largest of the Great Lakes.

Is slightly smaller than West Virginia

Surface area of 22,340 square miles

307 miles long

118 miles wide

Greatest depth is 923 feet!

We hit the beach as often as possible, in fact we will go Wednesday evening.

That's it for now.