Shop strategies related articles

There are 37 articles related to shop strategies.

Automated collection of real-time production data: How to get the data, and what to do with it once you have it 

Considering that raw data from the shop floor forms the basis for all production reports, companies need to eliminate possible shortfalls in collecting this data. That's where automatic data collection can help.
By: James Finnerty - The FABRICATOR®, 9/30/08
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 245 times. Printer IconPrinted: 30 times

ASME and AWS welding codes—Similarities and differences 

Welding codes are designed to improve the quality and efficiency of welding and are used to qualify welders. Predominate among welding codes in the U.S. are those authored by ASME and AWS. This article provides a brief overview of the similarities and differences in these codes.
By: Carl Smith, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 8/26/08
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 1,300 times. Printer IconPrinted: 54 times

5S—The foundation for lean and safe 

Lean, a popular term in manufacturing, most often is associated with organizing and eliminating waste on the shop floor. However, lean is also very effective in the office environment. Having a lean operation across the board improves efficiency, productivity, and safety. This article discusses the ...
By: Michael Taubitz, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 8/26/08
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 685 times. Printer IconPrinted: 64 times

Getting lean, job shop style: Ace Metal Crafts’ brand of lean puts employees in the driver’s seat 

Ace Metal Crafts has promoted its own brand of lean that, more than anything, gives employees ownership over the process.
By: Tim Heston, Senior Editor - The FABRICATOR®, 8/26/08
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 310 times. Printer IconPrinted: 48 times

Shake, rattle, and the toll: Angle grinder improvements promote ease of use, safety 

Operating an angle grinder is a tough job. Find out what angle grinder manufacturers are doing to make the tools more user- friendly, including lightening the weight, enhancing antivibration measures, and improving safety.
By: Amanda Carlson, Associate Editor - The FABRICATOR®, 8/26/08
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 636 times. Printer IconPrinted: 54 times

Intelligent business investments in uncertain economic times 

When the going gets tough, businesses have a tendency to make broad, sweeping budget cuts, sometimes without taking into consideration the long-range effect of the proposed cuts. Key investments in certain areas can streamline processes, improve operations, and ultimately have a positive effect o...
By: Dave Lechleitner, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 7/29/08
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 610 times. Printer IconPrinted: 84 times

Diversity a blessing for Blessing: Diverse customer base—from heavy equipment to medical—key to Blessing Industries’ success 

Diverse customer base—from heavy equipment to medical—key to Blessing Industries’ success
By: Tim Heston, Senior Editor - The FABRICATOR®, 5/13/08
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 770 times. Printer IconPrinted: 71 times

5 tenets for finding and keeping new business: These tips can help fabricating companies achieve their marketing goals 

...
By: Jim Romeo, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 3/25/08
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 350 times. Printer IconPrinted: 55 times

Strategic sourcing for stampers: Reducing material and purchasing costs through an annual buy program 

Material is the largest cost component for stamping companies, but does not receive much management attention. An annual material buy program can help stamping plant managers make substantial cuts in their material costs and other costs associated with the purchasing department.
By: Frank Rubury - www.thefabricator.com, 10/9/07
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 643 times. Printer IconPrinted: 75 times

Lean tool and die solutions: Adapting to a new economy 

To achieve a competitive position against low-cost countries, tool- and diemakers must reduce costs by at least 25 percent and shorten lead-time by about 50 percent.
By: Gary Gathen - The FABRICATOR®, 9/11/07
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 507 times. Printer IconPrinted: 78 times

The rewards of rapid changeover: In-house program helps steel processor achieve new levels of productivity 

As part of its conversion from traditional to lean manufacturing principles, Oregon Metal Slitters wanted to initiate quick-changeover practices in its production operations. It also wanted to achieve this internally, without the overview of an outside consultant, so that the practice would be susta...
By: Colin McLoughlin - www.thefabricator.com, 5/8/07
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 704 times. Printer IconPrinted: 99 times

An exception to the industry rule: How a small lubricants supplier is thriving 

IRMCO, a 93-year-old manufacturer of environmentally friendly lubricant technologies for the metal forming industry, is not only surviving but thriving in an industry that's facing tough times with plant closures, downsizing, and fierce foreign competition.
www.thefabricator.com, 3/13/07
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 1,016 times. Printer IconPrinted: 128 times

Why lean manufacturing is no get-rich-quick program: Part I: Basic principles to help your company get lean 

Unlike get-rich-quick schemes that promise to double your money in days or weeks, lean manufacturing is an ongoing improvement program that will be in place for as long as your company is in business. Learn the basics of lean in Part I of this two-part series.
By: Chris Hoff - The FABRICATOR®, 10/10/06
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 1,239 times. Printer IconPrinted: 179 times

Lean implementation failures: Why they happen, and how to avoid them 5 Star Article 

The most important parts of lean implementation are preparation—especially an objective assessment and development of the business and technical cases for lean—leadership that can get things done, appropriate training, resolution of people issues, and well-designed deployment methods.
By: Richard G. Kallage - The FABRICATOR®, 7/11/06
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 4,227 times. Printer IconPrinted: 271 times

How to get a handle on your inventory: ... and what not to do 

Well-managed companies have taken aggressive steps to reduce “at-rest” inventory by revamping their supply chains to support smaller, more frequent shipments. Industry sources have reported that some of the best performing stamping companies are turning inventory 28 times annually.
By: Frank G. Rubury - www.thefabricator.com, 4/11/06
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 3,996 times. Printer IconPrinted: 246 times

Working toward Six Sigma success 

Successful implementation of Six Sigma requires support from management, good planning, and undertaking of projects to move Six Sigma forward.
By: S. Manivannan, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 3/7/06
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 1,273 times. Printer IconPrinted: 192 times

Waste replaced: Considering lean manufacturing for your welding shop 

If your welding shop hasn't implemented lean manufacturing initiatives, it's only a matter of time, the experts say. Learn and brush up on your understanding of lean manufacturing to see what tools might help boost your productivity and efficiency.
By: Stephanie Vaughan, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 10/11/05
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 2,982 times. Printer IconPrinted: 304 times

Are your weld procedure specifications relevant?: Why compliance is important—through a weld inspector's eyes 

...
By: Paul Cameron - The FABRICATOR®, 3/8/05
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 6,140 times. Printer IconPrinted: 666 times

Winning with Lean: How a stamper cut waste, boosted productivity, and raised employee retention 

...
By: Kathleen McLaughlin, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 9/14/04
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 2,757 times. Printer IconPrinted: 455 times

Lean on it: Despite roots in high-volume production, lean manufacturing can still help job shops 

...
By: Dan Davis, Editor-in-Chief - The FABRICATOR®, 8/10/04
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 9,085 times. Printer IconPrinted: 684 times

How to be successful in small business: Welding shop owners share tips, experiences 5 Star Article 

...
By: Stephanie Vaughan, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 5/4/04
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 12,885 times. Printer IconPrinted: 490 times

Lean and Mean: How a $50 million stamper became more efficient, profitable 5 Star Article 

The metal stamping industry is facing many challenges, such as increased raw material prices, pressure from automotive industry OEM and Tier 1 and Tier 2 customers to cut costs, and increased competition from low-cost offshore stampers.
www.thefabricator.com, 4/6/04
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 5,274 times. Printer IconPrinted: 685 times

Do you see the light? 

In this article, The FABRICATOR® attempts to shine the light on opportunities for improvement in both the front office and on the shop floor. In this case, the light is on the lights—as well as the heating and ventilating system and other energy-sapping devices.
By: Dan Davis, Editor-in-Chief - The FABRICATOR®, 2/26/04
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 2,106 times. Printer IconPrinted: 392 times

Using technology to implement lean manufacturing 

Lean manufacturing is more than a buzzword. It is key to improving a company’s floor performance, customer responsiveness, and, ultimately, its bottom line. Yet few manufacturers truly understand what it takes to implement the concept.
By: John Leibert, Contributing Writer - The FABRICATOR®, 6/12/03
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 4,567 times. Printer IconPrinted: 514 times

Looking to the future: Steel supplier designs facility based on regional current, future needs 

A growing manufacturing base in the Southeast spurred Thompson Steel in the mid-1990s to research what type of equipment to purchase for its new facility in Fountain Inn, S.C. The steel supplier had been shipping coils of slit steel from its plants in Baltimore; Franklin Park, Ill.; and Rome, Ga., a...
www.thefabricator.com, 6/12/03
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 2,941 times. Printer IconPrinted: 408 times

Superior Service—Why you need it 

Service can make or break a business. Of the top nine reasons consumers give for buying a specific product, eight pertain to the abilities of the customer service system, for example, responsiveness, technical skill, and professional attitude.1
By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager - www.thefabricator.com, 4/10/03
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 2,796 times. Printer IconPrinted: 395 times

Paperless with a plan: Rethinking paper on the factory floor 

The idea of removing paper from the factory floor is getting more attention these days. However, paper removal should not be the only goal.
By: John Leibert, Contributing Writer - The FABRICATOR®, 8/29/02
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 2,720 times. Printer IconPrinted: 569 times

Job shops staying flexible: Small shops use planning, overtime to meet new customer demands 

Job shops are coping and many are thriving in spite of an uncertain economy, new steel duties, and a shortage of qualified workers. Shops from around the country comment on workloads, purchasing new equipment, lean manufacturing, and quality certifications.
By: Tony Carroll, Contributing Writer - The FABRICATOR®, 7/11/02
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 2,532 times. Printer IconPrinted: 386 times

A case study in lean manufacturing and Six Sigma 

You never know who in your company might be a diamond in the rough, waiting to shine. Giving everyone in your company the opportunity to take risks and learn from their mistakes is the best investment an employer can make.
By: Gary Conner, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 6/12/02
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 4,134 times. Printer IconPrinted: 468 times

Cash in on lean manufacturing: Fabricators say it isn't easy, but rewards are worth 5 Star Article 

TRUMPF, Freudenberg-NOK, and Aero Gear Inc. share their experiences with lean manufacturing here and present the benefits and challenges of implementing it in the machine tool-making, automotive supply, and job shop environments.
By: Tony Carroll, Contributing Writer - The FABRICATOR®, 2/14/02
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 5,934 times. Printer IconPrinted: 541 times

Principles of welding productivity: How three leadership techniques can improve quality 

Do you doubt the merits of daily record keeping to improve welding reliability, standardize welding procedures, avoid excessive costs, and increase productivity? Read on. You won't any longer.
By: Jesse Grantham, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 2/14/02
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 4,650 times. Printer IconPrinted: 657 times

Will just-in-time become just-in-case? 

Terrorist attcks on U.S. soil have given domestic manufactuers cause to rethink the entire process of keeping inventory and metting customer demands.
By: Matthew Goodfellow, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 2/14/02
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 2,716 times. Printer IconPrinted: 435 times

Common barricades on the road to lean 

The number of opportunities to steer your company wrong during a move toward lean manufacturing are myriad. Knowing a few of the common ones may help you achieve your goals without a lot of headaches.
By: Gary Conner, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 10/25/01
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 2,351 times. Printer IconPrinted: 421 times

Changing the way they do business: Bridge, structural fabricators have to think about process choices 

Dealing with work loads, delivery schedules, and many other responsibilities doesn't leave managers with much time to consider factors that justify equipment improvements.
By: Steven T. Snyder, Contributing Writer - The FABRICATOR®, 9/4/01
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 2,932 times. Printer IconPrinted: 496 times

Tips on Lean Manufacturing: Mastering the stop 'n' go of your shop's work flow 

Mastering the flow of work through your shop is your most important taks if you are attempting Toyota's approach to lean manufacturing.
By: Gary Conner, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 8/16/01
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 3,998 times. Printer IconPrinted: 458 times

Tips on Lean Manufacturing: How to purge weight from your manufacturing operation 

All manufacturing operations need to reinvent themselves to compete in today's marketplace. What can you do to change? Try going lean.
By: Gary Conner, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 2/19/01
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 3,003 times. Printer IconPrinted: 350 times

Gaining control over the shop floor:: How software affects record-keeping and quality 

The big order is in—now what? After you've reviewed the capacity of your shop and the customer's schedule, help can come from shop floor control software, which gives a business control not only over the manufacturing operations but also the total flow of material into and out of the shop.
By: Phil Davis, Contributing Writer - The FABRICATOR®, 2/19/01
Magnifying Glass IconThis article has been viewed: 2,580 times. Printer IconPrinted: 675 times
  • Sponsors
  • Exact JobBOSS Software
Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, International Tube and Pipe Association, International