A $1.4 Billion Lesson in Standard Work
7 June 2008
As if we didn't need another expensive example of why standard work is critical. The Air Force said the first crash of a B-2 stealth bomber was c…
Productivity: Eliminate Before You Optimize
29 May 2008
I've long been a fan of Tim Ferriss and his best-selling book The Four Hour Work Week. The book describes several methods to minimize and optimiz…
Dell Cookie Dough
26 May 2008
A recent article in the Lake Forester, a small newspaper based north of Chicago, was surprisingly accurate with regards to certain core aspects of lea…
TPS in Semiconductors
5 May 2008
The semiconductor industry boasts of building the most complex products on the planet. If you have never toured a facility you may be interested in vi…
Ghost Kanban
4 May 2008
An interview earlier today caught my eye, then churned my stomach. Steven Brostek, director of production operations for Chrysler's Belvidere fac…
Morro Bay Coffee Learns From Starbucks
26 April 2008
A few weeks ago Starbucks launched MyStarbucksIdea.com, basically an online suggestion box for customers to submit and discuss ideas for improvement.…
Poka Yoke Where the Sun Don't Shine
20 April 2008
A fellow AME'er just sent me this YouTube video by Bob Hafey. He does a good job of conveying the confusion the lay folks must experience when we…
Fabs That Refuse To Die
4 April 2008
Semiconductor fabs are interesting operations. You invest a billion or so into the most advanced manufacturing technology available, then it becomes…