September 2020 – BTenConsulting

Relius Medical sees sales grow by $3M!

Relius Medical LLC, has been a real success story. BtenConsulting was brought in to help Relius improve their processes and skills of the team members. As a medical manufacturer, the paperwork accompanying the products are extremely important; without the proper certification the surgeon can not use the product shipped. BtenConsulting helped streamline and update the document control process. Along with other local partners like Pikes Peak Community College, BtenConsulting trained the workforce on Lean Principles and implemented many of the principles on the shop floor along with helping the leadership with Leading Lean. As a result, Relius saw $3M of increased sales and retained an additional $1M of sales that were at risk.

Additional details are at https://www.manufacturersedge.com/success-story/getting-their-edge-relius-medical-llc-sharpens-staff-with-manufacturers-edge-assistance/

Relius Medical LLC is now part of Eptam Precision Machining Solutions.

17 SepSuccess stories

Leading Change at Elward — Better Processes Save $62K

Elward Systems Corporation designs and builds exterior wall cladding systems. In business since 1953, this employee owned corporation is a close-knit group with relatively low turnover. Jim Helgoth, company president, realized that while the stability spoke volumes about the great environment and high morale of the team, it also made them comfortable with the status quo. Elward sought an outside viewpoint and brought in BtenConsulting. Together, we used Value Stream Mapping to improve processes and reduce lead time and applied Lean Manufacturing principles to reduce waste and meet customer requirements. As with any change in the business world, Leading Change is the leadership challenge to make the changes permanent and successful. Elward reported they had retained sales of $1.5M and cost saving of $62,500 due to these efforts.

More of this story is at https://www.manufacturersedge.com/success-story/elward-systems-corporation-capitalizes-on-training-to-remain-successful-and-competitive-after-more-than-60-years-in-business/

17 SepSuccess stories

The right quality product at the right time

ConcealFab designs, manufactures and delivers the right product at the right time for critical on-time delivery to the customer. As the leading provider of innovative concealment solutions, including antenna shrouds and steel antenna mounts, “Hide in Plain Sight”, ConcealFab works with both government contractors and commercial cell providers to expand coverage while simultaneously camouflaging that technology from the public eye. Founded in 2007, the company’s original focus was the manufacture of architectural or aesthetic sheds, “maintenance shelters,” or screenwalls for hiding rooftop ventilation equipment, satellite dishes and cell phone antennas.

CEO Jonathan Fitzhugh knows that “Our biggest challenge is trying to time the market, putting resources in place in advance of demand in order to support our clients in a timely fashion”. ConcealFab grew their product line through key customer relations. They knew that they had a sound product and their commitment to rapid delivery of a high quality product would be well received. But they could not have fully anticipated how rapidly the concealment market would expand in the coming years. How could ConcealFab develop and implement proven processes in order to reduce lead-time, increase workflow, and expand their supply chain throughout Colorado? At that point, they contacted Manufacturer’s Edge to assist them with their goals and help them stay competitive in a rapidly growing market.

“The training and consultation in Value Stream Mapping, Kanban, and supplier scouting, coupled with the hands-on approach utilized by the Manufacturer’s Edge team provided ConcealFab with the appropriate tools to separate them from the competition”, stated Doug Hinkley, ConcealFab Chief Operating Officer. This success also created more good paying jobs in Colorado. As a testament to their growth and reliability, ConcealFab was recently honored with the Ericsson Supplier Award. They continue to expand their highly skilled workforce through a variety of means. One such resource leverages the successful ongoing partnership between Manufacturer’s Edge and Pikes Peak Community College in order to offer internships to students. As a result of these efforts, ConcealFab has increased their workforce by 25%.

And they still hold true to the basic principle that the right product made at a high level of quality and delivered rapidly at the right time is the true path to success and longevity. It seems to be serving them well so far…!

17 SepSuccess stories

ConcealFab

ConcealFab designs and manufactures electronics and antennas for wireless communications that are hidden in plain sight. Communities want the communication equipment in their neighborhoods but consider antennas an eyesore. These communities establish requirements to hide the antenna, such as this example from San Diego

The components are designed into light posts or other items in a neighborhood. Many communities want a custom design, so design time is an important factor in selecting a source for these items. BtenConsulting helped ConcealFab develop a streamlined design process which cut lead time to a matter of weeks. BtenConsulting also helped organize the workshop and implement lean processes. As the company grew, BtenConsulting helped lay out the work flow in a new, much larger, manufacturing facility and mentored the shop floor managers on implementing Lean Principles. Over this time ConcealFab greatly reduced lead time, while improving quality and productivity. Working closely with the VP Operations at ConcealFab, BtenConsulting helped the company double revenue three years in a row.

Picture source:

https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/telecomguide_coastal.pdf

https://www.sandiego.gov/sustainability/energy-and-water-efficiency/programs-projects/smart-city

17 SepSuccess stories

Fire Within Sells a Dream – Freedom!

Fire Within is actually a small Colorado manufacturer, but they sell a big dream – freedom for entrepreneurs who want to create their own business. In addition to manufacturing mobile wood fired ovens for making pizzas, breads, and an assortment of amazing appetizers (bacon wrapped figs, anyone?), Fire Within helps owners learn how to operate the ovens, deal with local health departments, and run their business. BtenConsulting conducted leadership coaching, streamlined office processes such as sales and metrics tracking, and consulted on the manufacturing process. As a result, Fire Within increased sales $250,000 and was able to retain $350,000 of sales while reducing costs by $290,000.

You can find more at https://www.manufacturersedge.com/success-story/fire-within-manufacturing-traditional-wood-fired-ovens-empowering-entrepreneurs-and-building-communities/

17 SepSuccess stories

Scotland success story

BtenConsulting was invited by a confidential Scottish client to help find a new manufacturing facility and set up the production flow. They said their line was maxed out and could not possibly produce any additional product. They were so convinced that they were committing £ 500,000 (approximately $750K, at the time) of company capital and loans to the project. On arrival I met the highly stressed owner and we talked about the company and I started making some observations about how the owner led the organization. It was clear he was shouldering everything, and his sons and the team in the office were underutilized. After a short tour and some discussion with employees, I advised them it was good to keep evaluating potential new locations, but to avoid committing resources for a bit. We started looking at office processes, developing the office team to take ownership of their work, and delegation skills.

In addition to the business changes we discussed, we started a Lean Program, including 5S* to start organizing their production floor. The ownership team and employees fully committed to the improvement effort, and six months later the shop floor looked about one third empty. The owner was significantly more relaxed, and the team in the office was engaged and productive – and much happier. The shop was clean, neat, and had freed up significant space. The owner told me production was up 40%! That statement gave me a thrill – that’s why BtenConsulting exists! We had made real, sustained, changes that added value to the business and people. The shop floor was calm and focused, and stress was reduced to the point that one of the employees pulled me aside and said he was worried that they needed more work – the 40% increase in production felt too slow for him.

Eventually, this business will still need to expand. The local authorities want them to have more room to store some of the (slightly flammable) materials they use before they increase the amounts they keep on hand. They have much more time to plan the expansion, and more of it will be done with company capital and not require them to leverage the company to a risky level. The existing work force is much more productive, and when the time comes to expand the work force they can plan the on-boarding and on the job training much more efficiently. The work force is more engaged so the leadership team is more comfortable delegating