Current Apps Builds Continuous Improvement Workflow

When Current Applications began seeing strong growth in 2015, they realized they needed to smooth out their operations to ensure they were able to meet customer demands. Knowing that quality and costs are large drivers in their industry, Current sought the assistance of CITEC to help them review their product lines and remove waste from their operations. Mapping all of their work cells clarified where the flow was interrupted causing increased lead times and higher costs.

Their Lean Flow project included capacity analysis of their machining center, improved layout and cell design, standardized work, cross training for their employees, lean materials handling, and follow up action plans. CITEC worked with Current Apps to evaluate each product line they were running to develop a true understanding of their equipment capabilities and smoother production and manufacturing flows.

The most important factor in the project, however, was empowering workers to take ownership of their lines, recognize non-standard situations and actively participate in improvement.

Measured impacts from the Lean flow project included $300,000 in increased sales and $125,000 in cost savings which spurred narly a half million dollars in new company investments.

"CITEC is a valuable asset for Current Applications and would be the same for any small company lacking the support staff to address necessary manufacturing challenges," says Current Applications President, George Anderson. Current has recently called on CITEC again to help train its front line leaders to give them the necessary skills to ensure that their teams support company goals.

 Contact Steve Lockwood for more information.
lockwood @citec.org
315-777-0556