Case Studies in Utilizing Industry 4.0

Over the past two decades TMAC has seen excellent results by our customers as they applied Lean Six Sigma to improve their business processes. Despite their success, it is increasingly apparent they are missing out on an opportunity to get even better results. How, you ask? Through the application of Industry 4.0. Not familiar with … Read more

Planning vs. Flexibility

Improvise. Adapt. Overcome. Earlier this month was the 78th anniversary of one of the most important events of the 20th Century: The D-Day Invasion at Normandy. More correctly known as Operation Neptune (land-based operations were dubbed Operation Overlord), it is considered the largest seaborne invasion in history. The complexity of this event is hard to … Read more

The Power of Commitment

The idea of continuous improvement (CI) within any organization is easy to support at multiple levels. What front-line worker doesn’t want his or her job to be easier or make more sense? What supervisor doesn’t want better outcomes? What executive doesn’t want improved business results? Our lives, both personal and professional, are surrounded by opportunities … Read more

Common Fears of LSS Students

When I was a little girl, my family would go camping with a group from our church. I loved being outdoors, enjoying nature, and spending time with my sister. During one trip the young kids were all riding our bikes around the campground, and we came to a fork in the road. My older sister … Read more

Design of Experiments: A Case Study – Part 2

Co-Authored by Alberto Yáñez-Moreno, Ph.D and Russ Aikman, MBB In Part 1 of this blog, we shared some basic information about designed experiments, and the advantages of DOE over other root cause methods. In this blog we will provide an overview on how to conduct a designed experiment. We will also share details of a … Read more

Design of Experiments: A Case Study – Part 1

Recently TMAC was providing coaching for a Black Belt working in the Analyze Phase of his project. He was trying to figure out how to increase the output for a manufacturing process. The company was in a sold-out position – demand exceeded supply. The process was production of glass fibers used in the manufacture of different types of insulation. The manufacture of glass fibers is a highly complex process. The BB determined additional capacity could result in a sales increase of over $1M.

2021 Year In Review

The close of another year is a good time to look back and reflect. While 2021 has not had the drama and extremes experienced in 2020, I think it still qualifies as a roller coaster ride. The major business challenges experienced over the year include supply chain issues, inflation, labor shortages, and – oh yes … Read more

Uncovering the LSS-ISO Connection

The majority of my career at TMAC has been focused on working with companies with the design and implementation of their ISO-based system. Over the past 16 years I have worked with approximately 150 companies in a wide variety of industries to get them registered to various standards, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, AS 9100, … Read more