Running a manufacturing plant is difficult. You must manage multiple stakeholders, drive continual improvement while maintaining safety standards, and reduce losses every quarter. Consider partnering with a consulting service to help address and improve these wide-ranging, complex responsibilities. Manufacturing consulting services are able to drive continual improvement, increase the respect of your team, and reduce mistakes and losses. Read more to find out how.
REASON 1: CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT – SPEED AND SAFETY
Everything at your plant is measurable, including speed and safety. Are you measuring these important parts of your operation to ensure that your plant is running smoothly, efficiently, and safely?
SPEED:
Establish a system for measuring the speed at which you’re doing business. In addition to measuring existing speed for a baseline, set S.M.A.R.T. goals to ensure that you’re working on continual improvement. S.M.A.R.T. goals should have the following criteria:
- Specific: Be clear about exactly what you’re working to improve.
- Measurable: Your goal should be measurable to assess whether or not you’re making progress in attaining them.
- Attainable: Be realistic about your goal and your ability to hit it.
- Relevant: Is it clear why this goal is relevant to the overall objective of your business?
- Time-Based: Define a clear time frame for when you want to hit this goal.
An outside consultant can help you define and achieve the S.M.A.R.T. goals you set for your organization.
SAFETY:
Manufacturing has some of the highest workplace incident rates in the United States. Incidents at work are expensive, time consuming, and, most importantly, mean that your employees are not as safe as they could be. The improvements driven by an engagement with a manufacturing consulting firm can drive increases in employee safety and ensure that your employees are getting home at the end of their shift.
REASON 2: GAIN THE RESPECT OF YOUR TEAM
Show your team that you’re committed to improving all levels of your organization through manufacturing consulting. Inspire them through a continual desire to improve your existing systems by bringing in dedicated experts. A consulting company isn’t there to replace you. They’re there to help you get better and get the results stakeholders are looking for. A good consulting company shares wins with those they’re working alongside, helping boost both your career and gain the respect of your team.
This type of commitment leads to better communication, a healthier workplace environment, and a more effective workforce. It’s how The Phoenix Group was able to drive improvement at all levels of the 418th Civil Affairs Battalion.
REASON 3: REDUCE MISTAKES AND LOSSES IN MANUFACTURING
Mistakes and losses happen. These lead to difficult conversations with your managers as you try to explain why these losses occurred and how to avoid them in the future. Do you have a plan for minimizing mistakes and losses? If not, an outside consulting firm may be able to help you establish a plan for the future. We helped General Motors drive a 50% reduction in scrap by delivering a plan to drive cultural change and develop highly skilled employees. If you want to reduce mistakes and losses, work with a consultant to help you get there and stay accountable towards your goals.
Consultants are able to take a step back from the everyday operation of your manufacturing plant to identify issues and develop a plan for improvement. Often, we find that plant managers are too embedded in the day-to-day management of the plant, while directors don’t have the on-the-ground perspective of day-to-day operations. Manufacturing consultants bridge that gap to identify roadblocks, drive efficiency and bottom-line improvement at manufacturing plants. Bringing in an outsider can provide an unbiased perspective on your operations that will focus in on root issues and map the plan to resolve them.
CASE STUDY: DRIVING IMPROVEMENT AT GENERAL MOTORS
Learn how The Phoenix Group helped a General Motors automotive manufacturing plant improve efficiency and reduce waste with manufacturing consulting services.
