BALDOR Electric’s Weaverville Plant in the US has not just implemented lean systems within the factory itself, but is spreading the Six Sigma methodology to its suppliers.
Established in 1979, the factory manufactures power transmission components. It was sold by Rockwell Automation to Baldor in 2007. According to managers at the plant, there is a culture promoting ongoing improvement through employee involvement.
The plant continuously improves its production processes by gleaning employee-generated ideas. For example, it was an idea from a worker which prompted the factory to seamlessly connect its processes from raw material to the packaging of the finished product, eliminating material handling between operations.
The plant has also incorporated loading and unloading automation in the manufacturing cells to prevent operator fatigue and excessive worker travel.
The facility is now targeting its key suppliers to help them implement Six Sigma leaning strategies. It hopes this will yield reduced investments in inventory and shorten lead times.