Newsletter May 2015

THE VALUE OF HOSTING SITE VISITS

There is always plenty of value in hosting Site Visits and getting your visitors out to the gemba. We all work within our own narrow paradigms and are blind sided to opportunities that are obvious to external people. So be brave and ask for their opinions and experience . We always use a formatted process that aids this feedback. The feedback may also validate and confirm the good things that you are working on as well. Here are some quotes from our hosts at the recent visit to CSR Viridian.

“We received  lots of very useful suggestions that we can act on from the recent site visit we hosted at CSR Viridian. You couldn’t get much better free (high powered) consultants advice than a couple of dozen lean/operational excellence practitioners!!”

Rick Terpstra – CSR Way ManagerÂ

“Some really good positive feedback and also some things we will need to work on which are great. The consensus seems to point at visual displays & 5S, which Leigh has been addressing, hopefully we are on the right track. Always good to expand your network and have fresh eyes to give you some review”

John Portelli  – Maintenance Engineering Manager CSR Viridian

TOYOTA VISIT

Two weeks ago, we had 2 fully booked tours to Toyota’s Altona manufacturing site. These tours were followed by a Q&A session with Toyota’s Barry McCarthy – Engineering and Logistics Capability Development Manager. There were some wonderful insights and powerful learnings into how Toyota run their business  and their Toyota Production system. It will be a real pity to see Toyota Manufacturing leave Australia and we will no longer have the opportunity to foster our own learnings from them. I sincerely wish to thank Barry and other Toyota leaders who have very generously given their time and knowledge to the wider business community in Australia over many years.Â

“Thanks Yvonne and Victor for organising Toyota.  I got a lot out of the visit.”

Anna Reid  – Manufacturing Operations Manager Victoria, Asahi Beverages

DAILY MANAGEMENT MEETINGS

On one of my out and about trips to Laminex at Ballarat, I was pleased to see their introduction and development of their daily production boards – showing hour by hour progress. The key features that I liked are:

• The boards are in the Gemba
• The information presented was relatively simple and hand written by the operators
• The hour by hour progress was captured either as green ( on track) or red ( not on target)
• This was supported by a simple problem solving process  – also on the board and hand written
• The ownership of the boards and data capturing belonged to the shop floor teams

According to Marty Phillips – Plant Manager, these boards and their whole process of engagement has lead to significant increases in line efficiency and overall output. We have organised a Special Interest Group session there on 26 August centred on Problem Solving tools and approaches. Details to be available soon.

INFORMATION NIGHTÂ NORTH AMERICAN STUDY TOUR 15 JULY 2015

For those interested in knowing more about our study tour to North America in October, we will be holding an information evening on Monday 15 June2015. The 2 week trip will involve visiting 8 best practice companies in the Canadian Toronto industrial region plus participating in AME’s annual conference. Having previously participated in both the site visits and AME conference, I would highly recommend this as an exceptional opportunity to widen your lean knowledge and global contacts – FLYER ATTACHED.

Even if you are not able to go in 2015, I would suggest you come along to our information evening to understand  more and be able to propose this for your own development budget for 2016. Our tour host Gary Kerr has been facilitating these visits for many years and believes that this industrial region in North America is probably 5 -10 years more advanced than the equivalent industries in Australia. Gary will detail the companies on the visit list  plus give a general overview of lean development and implementation in North America .

All are welcome to come as an informal networking evening and meet fellow industry practitioners.

DETAILS:

Monday 15 June 2015

6.00pm to 9.00pmÂ

FAT Monkey Restaurant – 770 Toorak Rd ( just off the Monash Freeway)

Free Parking available in Coles car park – Crescent Rd

Drinks and meals are available – Attendees are asked to pay for themselvesÂ

Please confirm your attendance by return email   [email protected]

Victor Caune / Network Director

Mobile  +61 413 718 986

Head Office

211/134 Cambridge Street, Collingwood VIC 3066