| STOWE MACHINE | ZKM FORGING | LADISH FORGING | PACIFIC CAST TECHNOLOGIES |
| April 15, 2009 | |
| Right and Ready | After conducting an assessment of the plant’s entire value stream, Stowe Machine launched its “Right and Ready” program to compress overall manufacturing lead time. |
| Paperwork at Front End Of Process Targeted |
The assessment revealed that significant new-product-development improvement opportunities were achievable from shortening the time between receipt of POs and release of work to the shop floor. |
| Concurrent Engineering Enhances Flexibility |
Standardizing communication steps among Engineering, Manufacturing and Quality departments heightened work visibility and improved communication. |
| Three-Step Process Includes Weekly Meetings |
To date, the five-month old initiative has reduced new-product-development lead time by 80%. |