Click here for a pdf version of the January-February 2010 issue of the Affiliates News.
- Presidents Message - Plant Your Crop to Harvest a Good Year
- The first days and weeks of a New Year are always exciting, characterized by a sense of opportunity, and of renewal...The challenge for business leaders at this time of year is how to appropriately focus and channel that initial optimism and energy to get your organization off on the right foot. Consider this four step plan: Close, Revisit, Optimism and Prioritization (CROP).
- 15-20% Increased Capacity Result of Ripley Plant Expansion
- Steady business growth, a need for additional machinery and insufficient floor space can pose a problem when you are a small manufacturer. This was the situation facing Quentin Bensink, President of Ripley Machine & Tool Company. “We need additional space and we need it quickly if we want to meet current and future volume demands,” said Bensink.
- Drive Continuous Improvement Using the A3 Process
- As companies embark on, or continue, their lean journeys, it is important to understand that the focus of lean should not be on the implementation of lean tools but on continuous improvement. The ultimate goal is not to create a kanban signal or develop a production cell but to remove waste in the system. A method to help teams identify the best solution for solving problems and eliminating waste is the A3 process. A3 problem solving is a standard method used by Toyota to define and address prob
- Ask the Business Doctor: "With all the quality standards available, which one should I pursue?
- When developing a quality system there are choices as to which standard to pursue for certification. ISO 9000, AS 9100, ISO 13485, and TS 16949 are the most common. A primary factor influencing this decision is the requirements of the market you serve. However, if your customer base falls into different markets the decision is not as obvious...
- Safety Through Simplification – We’re Only Human After All
- I'm good at multi-tasking. How many times have you heard this one? But sometimes we forget the limited capabilities we have as mere mortals. Consider claims from The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society that cell phone distraction causes over 2,500 deaths and 330,000 injuries in the United States every year. No wonder lawmakers are working to make texting while driving illegal...What does this mean to us in the workplace?
- National Grid Funding Opportunity
- Numerous local companies have already been approved for funding. To date nine companies have been approved for nearly $224,000 in funding assistance.
- The Second Most Popular Resolution
- After “losing weight”, the second most popular New Year's resolution is to get organized and better manage our time. Here are a few practical tips to help you gain more control over your time and your life and get 2010 off to a great start
- Cage the Monkey - Conquer Worry and Fear
- The number one problem facing people today isn't money, jobs, the economy or relationships. It is fear and worry. Nothing has the potential to generate more value in your life than getting this monkey off your back and under your control.
So, what are you afraid of?
