Abstract

Recent world events have put pressure on companies involved in security-related technologies and systems to rapidly increase their production. Garrett Metal Detectors was able to respond to a 300 percent increase in orders for its handheld and walk-through security detection devices because it implemented lean manufacturing in its Garland, Texas plant. Garrett had heard about lean manufacturing but needed help getting started. The Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC), an affiliate of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's nationwide Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), conducted a lean manufacturing training course for Garrett's walk-through detector team and also provided value stream mapping exercises to identify nonvalue added activities. As a result of the lean project, Garrett was able to increase production three to four times with the same number of people in half the space. MEP is a nationwide network of not-for-profit centers whose sole purpose is to provide small and medium-sized manufacturers with the help they need to get started. Once improvement opportunities are identified, MEP works with companies to determine which lean tools are appropriate. Lean is a component of 360vu, a new, integrated suite of tools and services developed by MEP to help manufacturers improve and blend every part of their companies.