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What is the need within your company for Six Sigma trained employees?

Here at UAH CMER , we are seeing an increase in demand for Six Sigma Green & Black Belt certification training this year.

And we apparently are not the only ones to notice the trend…

An overview of a talent study done by The Avery Point Group on the demand for hiring Six Sigma talent was published in Industry Week recently.

The two top takeaways from the ninth annual survey done by the executive search firm were:

1. Companies’ demand for lean skills continues to exceed that for Six Sigma expertise in a robust market for continuous improvement talent.

2. Nevertheless, demand for Six Sigma skills may be staging a comeback – noting that for the first time in the study’s history, a noticeable improvement in year-over-year demand for Six Sigma talent.

READ MORE – Industry Week

Six Sigma – Lean Demand Infographic

Where does your company fit in regarding demand for more Six Sigma talent?

If your company is interested in Six Sigma training – UAH CMER has a Green Belt Certification course scheduled for May 13-17.

Register for May 13-17, 2013 Class Learn More

The post Is Demand for Six Sigma Increasing? Click to take Our Poll appeared first on UAH CMER.

Turner Medical
Athens, AL

Company Info:
Turner Medical, manufacturer of medical machinery, creates innovative products in the medical field that help to save clients’ lives.  Their facility is located in Athens, Alabama.

Situation:
Turner Medical sought assistance for implementing sustainability practices at their Athens facility.  They wished to improve their bottom line through Lean concepts, energy saving best practices, and reducing environmental waste.

ATN Assistance:
Turner Medical Athens facility received assessment from the Alabama Technology Network (ATN) of the University of Alabama Huntsville (UAH).  The assessment took place between August 2011 and March 2012.    Assistance was received as part of the Alabama E3 (Economy, Energy, Environment) initiative which helps create manufacturing leadership through sustainability.

Lean assessments as well as energy assessments were conducted in order to identify opportunities for the best use of resources and capabilities.  Tools and procedures used during this assessment included Single Minute Exchange of Die (SMED), Ultrasonic Leak Detector, and Light Meter.

Results:
The assessments performed by the UAH-ATN team yielded several opportunities for improvement.  The Lean assessment showed changes that could made at the strategic level to improve things such as workplace organization, downtime, and Total Productive Maintenance.  The EPA’s Simplified GHG Emissions Calculator was also used to determine the greenhouse gas emissions produced by the facility.  The assessment showed that motor management and lighting systems were the two largest opportunities for energy savings as well as the $4,500 a year that could be saved from repair the air leaks that were identified.

Lean implementation training was also given to employees at the facility so that continuous improvements can be identified and sustained on a regular basis.

Specific results obtained from the assessments included:

• Reduced changeover time by 45% over the baseline time
• Staff now have the ability to leverage what they learned in this Kaizen event to many other mills in the facility

With the recommendation of the UAH-ATN team the Turner Medical facility was able to replace their lighting system with a more efficient one for a savings estimated at around $ 26,000 a year.

For the full case study click here

The post Lean Concepts Help Turner Medical with Sustainability Practices appeared first on UAH CMER.

Quality Filters
Robertsdale, AL

Company Info:
Quality Filters, a leading air filter manufacturer, is a distributor of home air filter and commercial industrial air conditioner filters.   Quality Filters (QFI) has a facility in Robertsdale, AL.

Situation:
Quality Filters-Robertsdale sought assistance in implementing sustainability practices to help improve their facility’s bottom line.  Knowledge in Lean concepts, energy saving best practices, and waste reduction was needed.  They chose to engage in an Alabama E3 (Economy, Energy Environment) assessment, workforce development training, and implementation assistance.

ATN Assistance:
Quality Filters -Robertsdale facility was assessed by the Alabama Technology Network (ATN) of the University of Alabama Huntsville (UAH).  The assessment was part of the Alabama E3 initiative which helps to create manufacturing leadership through sustainability.

UAH-ATN used certain technological tools to perform the energy saving assessment such as an Ultrasonic Leak Detector, a Thermal Imaging Camera, and a Light Meter.  Lean assessments were also performed to determine opportunities of improvement at the strategic level.

Results:
The E3 assessment performed by UAH-ATN uncovered over $37,000 of potential energy saving opportunities.  Through the Lean assessment it was discovered that there was significant opportunity for improvement at the strategic level.  As a result of this finding,  the facility had part of their workforce trained in workplace organization.  Plans were developed to implement Lean concepts throughout the facility.  Quality Filters – Robertsdale facility became the first UAH-ATN client to adopt the Innovation Engineering Management System.

Results obtained from the assessments included:

• The company has ISO 9001 certification that will drive continual improvement in all areas of QFI and open new markets that require the certification
• The company has an Innovation Engineering Management System in place to equip them with the skills and tools to relentlessly innovate to improve operations and grow the company
• QFI has a plan to firmly establish a foundation for future Lean improvements

For the full case study click here

The post Quality Filters First to Adopt Innovation Engineering MGT System appeared first on UAH CMER.

In Honor of Earth Day 2013 – Highlighting A Sustainability Success

ITW Sexton Can
Decatur, AL

Company Info:
ITW Sexton Can manufactures two-piece specialty aerosol cans for automobiles as well as adhesives and sealant applications.  They have a manufacturing facility located in Decatur, AL.

Situation:
ITW Sexton Can sought assistance in implementing sustainability practices.  Potential money saving and sustainability improvements were identified through assessments based on Lean, energy saving best practices, and waste reduction.

ATN Assistance:
ITW Sexton Can-Decatur sought assistance from the Alabama Technology Network (ATN) of the University of Alabama Huntsville (UAH) for implementing sustainability practices from May to September 2012.  This assistance was available through the Alabama E3 (Economy, Energy, Environment) initiative that helps create manufacturing leadership through sustainability.

The Lean assessment showed opportunities for improvements at the strategic level.  ITW Sexton Can employees received training in Lean and Clean Manufacturing so continual improvements could be made in the facility.  Certain procedures and tools were used in the assessment including Work Place Organization, Total Productive Maintenance, Single Minute Exchange of Dies (SMED), Ultrasonic Leak Detector, and a Light Meter.

Results:
At the conclusion of the assessment by the UAH-ATN team it was determined that there was great opportunity for energy savings.  The IAC energy assessment identified over $77,000 worth of energy savings.

Overall results obtained from all assessments included:

• Reduced changeover time by 50% over the baseline time of six hours
• Maintenance and operators were in agreement with the changes
• Staff now have the ability to leverage what they learned in this Kaizen event to many other pieces of equipment in the facility (The Lean team has implemented the changeover reduction ideas on four machines at this time)

The UAH-ATN team was also able to identify air leaks that could be repaired and create a savings of around $12,000.  The Lean training the employees at the facility received will also help to sustain and identify energy saving opportunities.

For the full case study click here

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Kappler
Guntersville, AL

Company Info:

Kappler, a protective garment manufacturer, produces suits that shield against hazardous materials and chemicals through superior construction and patented fabrics. Kappler, located in Guntersville, AL, employs 150 people.

Situation:

Kappler desired to improve their bottom line through the reduction of their facility’s energy intensity and environmental impact, as well as maximizing their economic impact.  Kappler sought out help from the Alabama E3 (Economy, Energy, Environment ) initiative to help improve sustainability through the gained knowledge of Lean, energy saving best practices, and waste reduction.

ATN Assistance:

Kappler’s Guntersville location received assistance from the Alabama Technology Network (ATN) of the University of Alabama Huntsville (UAH) for this effort from June –September 2011.  This included consultation about how to reduce their facility’s waste, lower their environmental impact, and maximize their facility’s resources and capabilities.  Assistance from ATN-UAH received in FY2011  was part of the Alabama E3 initiative.

ATN-UAH began by identifying areas and processes in the facility that could be improved to reduce waste, lower environmental effects, and better utilize resources and capabilities.  It was determined through the assessment that energy saving practices could be applied to the HVAC system used by the Kappler facility.  The assessment also revealed at the strategic level that Lean processes, specifically value stream mapping, could be implemented.  ATN-UAH conducted work force development training along with the initial assessment.

A variety of energy saving tools (Ultrasonic Leak Detector, Thermal Imaging Camera, and Light Meter) were used to determine if the facility had any problems such as air leaks and lighting or heating issues.

Results:

The ATN-UAH team identified several ways in which Kappler would be able to improve their bottom line through energy saving practices and strategic level improvements.

It was determined that Lean training as well as Lean implementation events would provide Kappler with significant improvements in the company’s day to day management and strategic planning.  This continuous improvement training would help Kappler to cut down on any waste of time or resources on the strategic level.  The value stream mapping assessment also yielded improvement opportunities in the sub-assembly flow which ultimately yielded energy saving results:

• Eliminate sub-assembly part travel back and forth from main plant supply towarehouse and back by over 1,000 feet
• Reduced work-in-process inventory
• Eliminated double handling of parts
• Reduced total lead time for sub-assemblies

In the energy saving practices assessment, it was determined that there were opportunities for improvement in the electricity usage of the facility.  The ATN-UAH team recommended several lighting upgrade options and presented several scenarios utilizing different lighting options.  Other energy saving opportunities identified included the HVAC system.  The Alabama Industrial Assessment Center was contacted for a more in-depth assessment of the HVAC system.

For the full case study click here

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Alabama Manufacturers have a chance to recycle – reuse with AL Material Waste Exchange

The Alabama Productivity Center, affliated with the Alabama Technology Center (ATN),  is continuing to gather information and interest from Alabama Manufacturers concerning a web-based Alabama Material Waste Exchange.

Numerous manufacturers have already responded to the web-based interest survey.  Please click the link below if your company has interest in the Exchange.  For more details about the Exchange announcement- read more..

Alabama Materials Waste Exchange
Survey

The Alabama Productivity Center is working with iWasteNot to build out  the web-based platform for the Exchange.   Some capabilities will possibly include:

• Browse or Search for available waste products posted by AL companies
• Able to see Price for waste product(s), if not free
• Dates of Availability
• Post inquiries for materials your company is looking for
• Contact information from companies willing to disclose their identities
• Automatic E-mail notification functions for members when an item becomes available
• Information technology security features such as database and server protection, latest firewalls, etc.

A possible feature for the future from iWastenot:

• A mobile phone app to access website and allow users to post items through their smart phones

The post Progress on Creation of Alabama Materials Waste Exchange appeared first on UAH CMER.

Foley, AL Exit w extension on Foley Beach Express -
Simulation by: CMSA, UAHuntsville

As part of a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Dept. of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), The University of Alabama in Huntsville’s Center for Management & Economic Research (CMER) and Center for Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis (CMSA) , the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) and private partners will join to support ongoing economic recovery in Alabama’s 67 counties. The Disaster Relief Opportunity grant from FY 2012 funds was announced by EDA during the week of March 4-8, 2013.  (posted HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -March 22, 2013)

The grant is designed to help communities build targeted strategies to diversify their economic base and develop plans to mitigate the impact of future disasters such as the 2010 BP oil spill or 2011 tornado outbreak.

Jeff Thompson, UAH CMER

“UAHuntsville is proud to continue our partnership with EDPA in enhancing Alabama’s economic development toolkit by expanding its modeling and simulation capabilities,” said Jeff Thompson, director of UAHuntsville’s Center for Management and Economic Research. “UAHuntsville, in concert with other research universities in the state, can help lead the development of Alabama’s 21st century economy with precisely these kinds of partnerships.”

Dr. Wes Colley, UAH CMSA

Dr. Wes Colley, a senior research scientist at UAHuntsville’s Center for Modeling, Simulation and Analysis (CMSA), said the research will expand the capabilities of local and state leaders to see the growth or recovery opportunities for the state’s industries, perhaps before individual communities or companies can see them.“UAHuntsville wants to provide increased potential for Alabama to take advantage of economic opportunities first, before our competitors,” Dr. Colley said. “Working with EDA to find faster and better ways to recover from economic disasters, like the oil spill or tornado outbreak, is a particular way for us to help Alabama create a more robust economy for its citizens, companies and communities.”

The work of the grant will span a 15-month time period. At the grant’s completion, EDPA will present its findings to Gov. Robert Bentley and the Alabama Economic Development Alliance. The project is funded through the FY 2012 Disaster Relief Opportunity, administered through the EDA. Each disaster recovery investment is intended to support a community’s long-term recovery, spur job creation, leverage private investment and promote disaster resiliency.

The Disaster Relief Opportunity funding builds on work recently done with a 2010 EDA Oil Spill grant award. That work was conducted in eight southwest Alabama counties affected by the BP oil spill. Plans are to make the tools and information developed during the oil spill project available to the remaining 59 counties.

The funding will help to ensure Alabama’s economic resiliency by:

• Better cataloging and marketing the state’s economic development assets, including its communities.
• Providing visualization tools that can help state and local officials understand current conditions and plan for a brighter future.
• Better cataloging and analyzing information on several of Alabama’s key industries in order to boost resiliency and create opportunities for job creation.
• Add critical tools that support and assist communities in developing long-range strategic planning at the local level that aligns with Accelerate Alabama, the state’s strategic economic development plan developed by Gov. Robert Bentley’s task force.

• Target Sector Analysis: EDPA staff and UAHuntsville staff will use methodology developed for the eight-county oil spill region to provide an in-depth analysis of four business sectors. They are automotive, aerospace and two agriculture sectors to be announced. The analysis will identify industries with the greatest potential to create jobs and interconnectivity in urban and regional areas.

• Visualization and Simulation: The visualization and simulation capability will provide virtual tours and flyovers of existing buildings and visualize future developments. This is a powerful tool for helping to identify new ways to rebuild a community, and communicate plans to do something different than rebuild the past.

• Transportation and Logistics Analysis: UAHuntsville will use sophisticated modeling tools to replicate the transportation model across the state and analyze the flow of goods for the four business sectors. A primary enabler of economic activity in a region is its transportation infrastructure and the resilience of the infrastructure in the face of disaster-induced disruptions. The resilience of freight mobility will be studied in the context of natural disaster-caused damage to the transportation system, compare improvement strategies for mitigating negative economic effects and investigate opportunities for new links in the supply chains to be established in the state.

The post UAHuntsville CMER & CMSA on EDPA team receive $1.5 M Disaster Recovery Planning Grant appeared first on UAH CMER.

Is Your Company Interested in an Alabama Materials Waste Exchange?

–Take Survey Now

Alabama Materials Waste Exchange

 Alabama E3 is a coordinated technical assistance program for Alabama’s manufacturers providing expert advice on reducing costs and increasing business through reduction of production, energy, and environmental wastes. As part of the E3 program, Alabama Technology Network, and the Alabama Productivity Center at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa are developing the Alabama Materials Waste Exchange.

The Alabama Materials Waste Exchange will be an online listing service for exchanging industrial surplus, waste, or other materials within Alabama and eventually within surrounding states. Materials may be bought, sold, traded, or given away. Working like the classified ad section of a newspaper or trade magazine, organizations will be allowed to create listings for waste or surplus materials they have available, and also post materials that they need. Companies will browse listings, contact the generator, and make arrangements to collect the waste.

The main goal of the Alabama Materials Waste Exchange would be to provide the following benefits:

• Diversion of waste materials from landfills
• Reduced costs for companies that can use waste materials as raw materials
• Reduced disposal costs for companies listing materials
• Education and Awareness by serving as a focal point for sustainability and waste reduction for the industrial community

The Alabama Productivity Center is in the process of gauging interest in this type of online materials waste exchange through the attached survey. Please respond to each question to the best of your knowledge. All information will be kept confidential and used solely for this endeavor.

The survey should take between 5-7 minutes to complete.

Alabama Materials Waste Exchange Survey

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AGENDA – (click)

11:30 am – 1:00 pm | NO COST for Informational Session
on campus of Trenholm State Community College (Patterson Campus)
3920 Troy Highway, Building Q, Montgomery, Alabama 35242
(located directly across from the street from AIDT)

For more information about the lunch & learn:
Joan Davis, ATN Center Director, Montgomery/Selma
Ph: 334.420.4394 or jdavis@atn.org

SPONSORED BY:

OHSAS 18001: S&H Management

The Occupational Health and Safety management system, otherwise known internationally as OHSAS 18001:2007 is quickly becoming the latest requirement among automotive suppliers. This informational session gives an overview of the standard and the process by which Alabama Technology Network (ATN) is assisting companies in implementation.

Topics addressed in the session include:

Standard Compatibility:

• Similarities between OHSAS 18001 and other management systems such as TS-16949 and ISO 14001 EMS.
• Integrating quality, environmental, and occupational health and safety management systems

Implementation

•  User Group Format
•  Pricing
• Time Frame
• What is included

Safety and Health Management

• Law and Legal Issues
• Assessing Hazards
• Determining Risk
• Maintaining Controls

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