“We are different. Every job is unique.” “We cannot expect teamwork from skilled trades. Their work is too specialized.” “We must keep our people busy at all times. That’s why inventory is so ...

Applying Lean Six Sigma quality management techniques allows service management professionals to eliminate activities that add no value to customers, decrease costs, eliminate defects, reduce ...

Many companies drive operational excellence into their operations. Yet when asked exactly what it is, there is always hesitation. Answers such as "It's about process quality (making perfect parts ...

I almost can’t take it anymore. I have the pleasure of meeting hundreds of people and seeing hundreds of shops, from small two-person operations all the way to the largest manufacturers in the country ...

In the context of increasing global industrial competition and intensifying customer demands, there has been considerable pressure on U.S. small- and medium-sized (SME) manufacturers in recent years ...