Here is a quick overview of the value of benchmarking and sharing best practices across all manufacturing sectors that was shared at the events January 14 hosted by DC Foods in Waterloo:

Sr Managers: Presidents, VP's, Plant Managers and their designates first heard an overview of the strategic business model at DC Foods followed by a tour. Participants then provided feedback to the host commenting on likes and suggestions for improvement. Benchmarking discussions evolved into topics that included: business strategies, supply chain, incentive programs, process improvement, logistics, labour relations, and customer relations. These discussions take place at a higher strategic level for senior decision makers in manufacturing operations.

Continuous Improvement: Changeover Reduction- Every month continuous improvement professionals meet to learn from each other and share best practices through a problem solving exercise in a host facility. Following a tour and a review of lean principles, DC Foods presented a challenge with their change-overs. The group then reviewed some basic SMED principles, and broke out into brainstorming groups. Through the combined synergies and ideas from members, three pages of suggestions were offered to DC Foods to reduce their changeover times. Also, folks from across all manufacturing sectors gained insight into their own challenges with changeover reduction as they relate their thinking back to their own processes at their own manufacturing facilities.

Engineering: Engineers meet bi-monthly to benchmark best practices, their job designs, and how their engineering function interacts with other depts. in their value streams. The host engineer presents a challenge to the group. This month, discussions included the role of engineering in preventative maintenance, and design, quoting, and ease of manufacturing.

Human Resources: This month HR professionals met to brainstorm their topics and themes for 2009. Through roundtable discussions HR folks shared their current challenges and opportunities for success ahead. Congrats to the group for developing the following consensus going forward!

Feb 11: Managing Emotional Reactions to Downsizing/Lay-off mgt Strategies; March 11: Legal updates-Hicks Morley; April 8: Aging Workforce/Disability Mgt/Accommodation Strategies; May 13- Employee Engagement Strategies; June 11: Cross Training Strategies; Sept 9: Wellness Programs; Oct 14: Attendance Management; Nov 11: Recruiting for Difficult Work Environments

Congratulations to all on a great day of learning and benchmarking! If you are a manufactuer but not a member of EMC, please feel welcome to experience these events: mbaker@emccanada.org

Yours in Networking,

Mike Baker, EMC