In response to increased manufacturing demand, BioTek Instruments has partnered with the Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) in support of an ongoing lean methodology training curriculum
The overarching goal of this programme is to increase production efficiencies in BioTek's Winooski facility, thus enabling increased speed and quality of goods for their customers in a variety of scientific research markets.
The lean training initiative was funded by the Vermont Training Program of the US Department of Economic Development, and is customised to the unique manufacturing methods and requirements of BioTek Instruments.
Lean manufacturing is an approach whereby all phases of a process are systematically investigated to reduce cost, time-of-production, and other waste, resulting in improved quality and productivity.
Applying the principles of lean manufacturing, VMEC joined with BioTek's manufacturing team to map the flow of each process and identify areas for improvement in order of priority.
Personnel were also trained on fundamentals of lean manufacturing, optimisation in workspace organisation, lead-time reduction, and kanban manufacturing methods.
According to Mark Boutin, manufacturing operations manager at BioTek Instruments, the company's production requirements have escalated year upon year.
"We reached a critical capacity, and knew that in order to increase production while maintaining our strict quality standards, we would have to work smarter," noted Boutin.
"By working with VMEC to apply lean manufacturing principles, our process steps have improved well beyond our expectations".
The successful integration of lean methodologies into BioTek's manufacturing area has opened the door for other departments within the organisation to implement lean principles, and VMEC is expected to continue their participation with BioTek Instruments for the additional training sessions.
