Streamlining Production Processes

Vollmer & Scheffczyk GmbH offers you all the services which have to be provided as part of a lean transformation. In doing so we are driven by the following principles:

• Defining Value — Define what the customer is prepared to pay for
• Mapping the value streams — Show where value streams
• Eliminating Waste — Avoid waste
• Making the value flow — Organise value added as a continuous flow
• Letting the customers pull — Produce according to customer demand
• Pursuing perfection — Strive for perfection; never stop becoming better
  

The basis of our services always starts by mapping the value stream. Normally we need just two days to create an overview of the flow of a product family in your production facility for both you and us. To do this we have extensive practical and methodological know how in this specialist technical field. Incidentally, we have also used this knowledge to develop a software package for visualising and simulating value streams (ValueStreamDesigner) which is used internationally at successful lean companies. The result of value stream design is a future state map which impressively displays the potential of a lean transformation and a road map to reach it.

What work done in your plant really provides customer benefits? Which activities is your customer really prepared to spend money on? Often only 10% of all activities carried out create value, the rest is waste. In team workshops we will seek out this waste and begin eliminating it step by step. You will be surprised what enormous productivity growth can be achieved in just a one week workshop. In order to achieve these successes we turn to the most successful lean tools such as work station design, changeover time reductions with SMED, visual management and lean mapping.

The elimination of work station waste (Point-Kaizen) is obligatory, creating flow along the entire value stream is a high art, but without real flow no lean transformation can reach its full potential. V&S is well known as a specialist for so-called Flow Kaizen, especially in production company environments with many different product types. Together with you we will establish a balanced value stream and install one piece flow cells, i.e. production islands in which products are processed or assembled in takt with no or few work-in-process. Supermarket Pull systems upstream (often known as kanban systems) are used for consumption orientated production management which is thus independent of forecasts.

Independent of the targeted use of lean methods the ability to implement continuous improvement is the key to successful change in a lean company. We can offer you special services targeting this issue.  More...