Simple Solutions That Work! Issue 8

This case study explores the process and steps involved with sourcing, vetting, specifying, and executing a complex foundry equipment installation. This article will offer some basic recommendations we learned while working with a customer in their green sand mold line expansion. These process steps can be applied to any custom equipment your business may be considering, but is focused on the unique challenges faced by today’s modern foundry’s that may be considering molding, core making, or automation expansions. Today’s modern foundries must evolve from the dark, dirty, and noisy ancient industry of yesterday to bright, clean, safe, technically advanced metal casting facilities. Your customers will see value in a technically advanced and well-organized foundry and you’ll have greater ability to attract today’s younger workforce. This case study starts after our customer made the commitment to reinvest in their foundry to accommodate newly won business and stay relevant in order to attract future business. The evolutionary points made above were the foundation for this foundry to make substantial investments. Obviously, this story starts well before our involvement, and reasoning and rationale for such investment could be its own case study. The case study will focus in the early stages following the customers investment commitment. ASSEMBLE YOUR EXPERTS First, it’s important to create an exploratory committee staffed by representatives across all business perspectives. This is an important consideration to insure all aspects of the business is suitably represented and normally would include; ownership or executive leadership, finance, engineering, operations, sales, and maintenance. Besides the expertise each department brings to the process, the creation of the exploratory committee has benefits of inclusive outcomes- providing a sense of importance. And, inclusion brings enthusiasm and ownership to the entire process and project outcome. It’s important to staff this committee with respected representatives that work well together and understand the business goals. Keep in mind that too many distracted or opinionated team members will slow your process down and could add unnecessary confusion to the execution of this first and necessary stage. Choose your team members wisely. Secondl, it is important to create a goal statement, or think of this as a project mission statement. A succinct and clear mission statement can help to keep your project clearly defined and helps to avoid project creep. Ownership or executive leadership need to manage and keep the focus on the need at hand. The project mission statement should lead to the development of any new equipment and plant improvements. Ask these questions: What is the desired product outcome? What is the productivity expected? What flexibility needs to be considered for the future? What is our timing? What is the budget? Engaging your exploratory committee – which is re-titled to investment committee- with these high level JERRY SENK President EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. ARTICLE TAKEAWAYS: 1. Create an internal “investment committee” 2. Develop and stick to a specification 3. Convey a clear procurement process 4. Support your vendor and sub-contracts with internal resources SMART PLANNING LEADS TO PROJECT SUCCESS 38