Enabling frontline workers to drive efficiency and cost reductions with lean manufacturing
When it comes to supply chain and logistics, efficiency takes center stage. Central to this pursuit is the practice of lean manufacturing, which identifies processes and practices to streamline operations, reduce costs, and engage frontline workers. However, multiple misconceptions surround lean, from its purpose to its impact on the workforce. Contrary to popular belief, lean does not typically result in layoffs and is not merely...
Monetize your value Part 2
I am preparing an intro for this month’s topic, and then we will jump into material prepared by Nathan Hawkins asking him to update the readers about the status of ESOPs in today’s economic environment. I asked him five questions about the state of the ESOP (Employee Stock Option Plan) market, how ESOPs could help with recruiting and employee retention, what’s changed since the Pandemic, how interest rates and inflation have impacted...
The secret formula is React, Respond, Recover, +1
You do something wrong. The customer gets mad. You apologize and try to fix the problem, make nice, and hope they don’t go someplace else next time. Want to buy some “Customer Insurance?” Sure, you do. How do you get “Customer Insurance”, you ask? Easy, you already have it. The problem is that most people (companies) don’t use it. Reason? Insurance costs a little extra. It’s called Plus One Insurance and here’s how it works: When the...
Know your Key Performance Indicators in rental management
As the calendar turns to November, it’s hard to believe that it’s been over a year now since becoming a regular contributor in this Aftermarket column. In last month’s edition, I wrote about the topic of relational capital; the intangible asset that encompasses the network of relationships you build with your customers, partners, and employees. My personal relational capital has allowed me to regularly get inspiration for content to...
Eliminating waste over increasing efficiency
Efficiency is fundamentally about using less input and getting more output.When CEOs talk about increasing “worker efficiency”, it usually means getting fewer workers to do more work. You can have the most efficient workforce in the world, but if the company, the system, and the process they’re working in are wasteful, none of it really matters. Eliminating waste is actually way more important than driving efficiency....
Boosting efficiencies in the warehouse in a tough labor market
Ken Ramoutar sees productivity as a multi-dimensional concept. Ramoutar, chief marketing officer at Lucas Systems, said when he started in the industry over two decades ago, few would have anticipated the coming labor force challenges. “I’m not sure warehouse workers were viewed as a huge value and asset, and now they are,” said Ramoutar, who said the pandemic has accelerated this view. Now, the focus is on how to compete for the...
Cheap industrial batteries: Where’s the catch?
Motive power batteries for forklifts and other material handling equipment typically look very similar, with no differentiation of design or exterior features. Their technical specifications, like voltage and Ah capacity, are required to comply with the standard requirements of the host vehicles. However, there is often a significant price difference between different brands, which stems from the functionality of the battery...
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