![\"Jade](\"https:\/\/sw.fst.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/fst-sw-2022-01-csr-growtth.jpg\")
<\/figure>\u201cSince the arrival of lean and just-in-time manufacturing approaches, shortening production lead time remains an ever more important, complex and demanding aspect of the value chain,\u201d said Vicky Jandreau, Senior Vice President GROWTTH & Sustainability at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies. \u201cWe also see the same potential in our digital processes. ERP systems demand perfection and when internal processes don\u2019t match what the sys- tem demands, it can cause interruptions in in- formation flow and negatively impact the de- livery of our products to internal and external customers. This is what Troy was facing with its shipments to Milan,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Employees in both locations conducted high-level reviews of current procedures, packaging, shipping and receiving, customer service, and bill of lading processes to detect potential steps that were contributing to the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then the lean administration team conducted interviews with employees in each area and laid out a current-state process swim line map to identify potential areas for improvement. Based on the findings, the team took action and drafted a \u201cfuture state\u201d to highlight future processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new process was tested over 90 days and compared with the previous 30 days when the old process was used. The old process resulted in 40 incorrect shipments over 30 days, and the new one had zero incorrect shipments over 90 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Image: Jade Dew, a Warehouse Material Technician, in Milan scans incoming deliveries from the Troy plant. Dew was on the kaizen project team.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Status quo challenged<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLean administration is such a powerful methodology and tool set. and, when used, it can improve many facets of an operation,\u201d Jandreau said. \u201cFrom data organization and office efficiency to efficient and effective processes and communication flow, to standard work for administrative teams, it will have a positive effect. It is our collective responsibility to challenge the status quo and improve every day and even when it seems that our processes are successful, we can always do better,\u201d Jandreau said. \u201cLean administration methodology is more than just the conviction of identifying and documenting our processes \u2013 it is the desire for improvement that make it effective.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jandreau says that over the last few months, she has seen an increase in the demand for lean administration expertise to support initiatives and functions within the organization. \u201cThis is a sign that our mission is taking hold and I expect to see this initiative grow more and more interest and demand a change for the better,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n