The Differences

Lean Manufacturing or JIT (Just-in-Time) is a well-known process management philosophy. The focal point of lean manufacturing is on removing waste and implementing flow. Quick Response Manufacturing or QRM is focused on the relentless pursuit of reducing lead times throughout your operation to improve quality, reduce cost, and eliminate non-value-added waste. If your company has already invested in a program such as lean manufacturing, QRM can build upon the existing methods and enhance your competitive strategy. QRM spreads beyond the shop floor to all company operations including office, quoting, etc. It affects the entire organization. No department can conduct business as usual once a QRM program is fully implemented.

Comparison of QRM with JIT or Lean Manufacturing

Lean Manufacturing	QRM
Best applied with stable demand, higher volume products.	Can be applied to one-of-a-kind custom products too.
Focuses on factory floor and suppliers.	Expands to the whole organization.
Synonymous with kanban. If used with QRM, the kanban method requires significant modification.	If JIT has been implemented it paves the way for QRM.
Systematic elimination of waste leads to continuous improvement.	Relentless reduction of lead time results in continuous improvement and elimination of waste.
Create "flow" by designing production lines so orders can proceed continuously without backflow or stoppages. One-piece flow is the goal.	Create cells based on families of products with similar operations. One-piece flow is not necessary; small batches are acceptable based on the customized nature of products.
Support flow using takt time and level scheduling. Use detailed task analysis and work standardization to achieve balanced takt times throughout the production facility.	Utilize organizational flexibility and understanding of system dynamics to meet the demand for widely differing products. Different combinations of cells can be used.
Suppliers achieve flow requirements via pull signals and flex fences.	Suppliers change their operations and redefine their interactions with the customer.
Pull signals material replenishment: "sell one; buy one". Inventory is critical at each point in the supply chain. Doesn't work for custom-engineered products.	Tailored to companies that have high product variety or engineered products. Goal of QRM is not to start a job until there is an order for it. Uses a combination of push for material planning and release, and a modified pull approach to prevent congestion.
Provides custom combinations of predefined options for a baseline product.	Best suited for custom-engineered products.
Requires stable demand, mostly for replacement products.	Used for products with rapidly changing demand or tailored to individual customers.
Primary performance measure is on-time delivery.	Primary performance measure is lead time reduction with on-time performance a by-product of the strategy.
Inventory is another way to differentiate lean manufacturing and QRM. Lean manufacturing focuses on minimizing the inventory in the system with a relatively stable and predictable demand. QRM is based on individual customized production while maintaining low inventory and quick response. Cell team members in a QRM organization are encouraged to continuously search for ways to reduce lead times. As a result of this focus and mind-set, processes are improved and non-value-added waste is eliminated. If you would like to learn more about this highly effective manufacturing philosophy, please contact our internal Q-ROC Manager, Al Fyhrie at (320) 762-7660 or by email: afyhrie@alex-extrusion.com. Al would be happy to answer your questions and explain how Alexandria Extrusion Company has achieved highly successful results through its implementation of the 10 QRM principles.

AEC Capabilities
• Precision Aluminum Extrusions • CNC Manufacturing • Fabricating
• Stretch Forming • Bending • Finishing • Prototyping • Engineering
• Enhanced Quality Systems • Quick Response Manufacturing

2008 and 2009

2008 has been a year of evolution within AEC. We look a little different then we did in the beginning of 2008. As we continue to evolve, we are determined to continue providing our customers with the top quality services they come to expect. Looking ahead to 2009, AEC, along with all of you, will work through the uneasiness that this recession brings. We will push forward, with the assurance that all business operations will continue to be done based on our company values.

May this holiday time be a time of reflection for you, a time of gratitude, and a time of optimistic excitement as we look to the future. Thank you to our customers for making Alexandria Extrusion Company part of your businesses, and to our employees for choosing to be a part of our family.

December 18, 2008
Volume 2, Issue 10

Alexandria Extrusion Company
401 County Road 22 NW
Alexandria, MN 56308
Phone: (320) 763-6537
Fax: (320) 763-4692
www.alexandriaextrusion.com

Alex-Cube demonstrates the level of Freedom To Design that is encouraged to AEC customers everyday.

To receive a cube, email
aecsales@alex-extrusion.com

QRM Principles

Quick Response Manufacturing has
developed 10 main principles, and Alexandria Extrusion Company will be discussing each principle in our future QRM Newsletters. If you would like to learn more about this concept, please visit www.alexandriaextrusion.com/aec/qrm or the Center for Quick Response Manufacturing at www.qrmcenter.org.

Please consider the environment before printing this newsletter.

Merry Christmas
from Alexandria Extrusion Company

And the angel said unto them, "Fear not! For, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, Lying in a manger.

~ Luke 2:10-12