QRM - Lean and Mean

Quick Response Manufacturing has allowed Alexandria Extrusion Company (AEC) to compete on a global level, offering its customers enhanced lean manufacturing practices with lead-times unbeatable within the industry.

The distinct value of preferred lead times and superior quality control has brought strategic supplier relationships to the forefront of AEC's current business model.

QRM Principle #9

The reason for embarking on the QRM journey is that it leads to a truly lean and mean company with a more secure future.

Looking for ways to squeeze out time uncovers quality problems and wasted efforts. Fixing these issues results in higher quality, lower WIP, less waste, lower operating costs, and greater sales. JIT and other related methods emphasize elimination of waste but may ignore the waste caused by long lead times. QRM has a much broader definition of waste that creates an even leaner organization.

By eliminating waste in processes both on the manufacturing floor and in the office, a company can sell its products at a competitive price with higher profits. The exclusion of waste includes many areas such as estimating, order processing, and machine set-ups.

Lead time is reduced by eliminating baskets of product waiting on the manufacturing floor and smoothing out the material flow. Processes can be done more efficiently when people are brought together in an office or manufacturing cell.

Examples Of QRM Success At AEC

Alexandria Extrusion Company (AEC) has witnessed great results as an outcome of QRM implementation throughout the entire organization. Since the beginning of the QRM journey, AEC has these successes to share with you:

• AEC's value added lead time has decreased from 23 days to 15 days.
• Labor and overhead variance has improved by 8%.
• New product lead time has decreased from an average of 65 days to reaching a benchmark within its industry at 24 days.

These are just a few examples of operational benefit that AEC is proud to offer its valued customers.

QRM - Lean and Mean