Success Stories

MassMEP works closely with your team to reach the anticipated results from your lean training implementation, identify your strengths and remain globally competitive. Learn more about our lean training successes outlined in the success stories below.

Precisely the Right Layout for Phillips Precision

Lean Training Helps Machine Shop Expand Despite Sluggish Economy

By 2007, Phillips Precision, Inc., had reached the point that often confronts successful family-owned businesses. The machine shop, started by owners Steve and Cathy Phillips a decade earlier in a 1200 square foot garage bay, had outgrown its facility. Developing a reputation for quality work, the company attracted new clients and expanded to more than 10 employees; but space constraints began to limit not only further expansion but the efficiency of the operations.

Following a recommendation from Innercity Entrepreneurs, Phillips Precision contacted the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP) to implement a Lean training program. The Lean training coincided with the company’s move to a new location in Boylston and was designed to include a plant layout for the new facility. Read More


Preserving the Progress, Davico Manufacturing Sustains Lean Improvements:
published in the "MassMEP Generation Manufacturing Newsletter," March 2010

12% growth in 2009

Getting their higher volume products to market faster than the competition is just one of the many positive results Davico Manufacturing reported after introducing Lean concepts at their facility in New Bedford, Massachusetts. When interviewed in June 2008, the manufacturer of direct fit catalytic converters predicted continued growth, increased sales and the addition of employees. “We would not have been able to handle this type of growth without Lean,” shared Owner and President Ray Surprenant. Read More


Stabilizer FlipPad™ Manufacturer Gets Traction with ISO and Lean:
published in the "MassMEP Generation Manufacturing Newsletter," February 2010

The entire manufacturing process has had a 10-15% productivity improvement

A new customer, Volvo Construction, had Stoughton Steel design a stabilizer for their backhoe. They were so pleased with the design that they came from Poland to Massachusetts for a visit. Since Volvo Construction has a strict policy of using only ISO certified suppliers, Stoughton Steel researched becoming ISO certified. Andris Lagsdin, Director of Sales and Marketing for Stoughton Steel said, “I made some calls to the state (of Massachusetts) and they recommended the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP) for assistance with both ISO and Lean.” Read More


Savage Sports: Masters of the Supply Chain:
published in the "MassMEP Generation Manufacturing Newsletter," November 2009

According to the September 2009 issue of Managing Automation magazine, in the feature article on the Progressive Manufacturing 100 Awards (PM100) for 2009, Savage Sports Corporation of Westfield, Massachusetts is "the winner of the Supply Network High Achiever Award having started small and growing its demand planning initiative into a network-wide model of efficiency." Read More


Lean is a Big Part of the Package at Accutech:
published in the "MassMEP Generation Manufacturing Newsletter," October 2009

"If anyone is not doing Lean they will cease to exist within five years. People are looking for maximum value at the lowest cost and the internet puts hundreds of thousands of options at their fingertips. If you are not focused on providing great value at low cost you won't be around." -- Patrick Madigan

Accutech Packaging's Patrick Madigan became interested in Lean and Continuous Improvement back in the early 80's. "Over the years we've tried to incorporate some Lean practices and concepts into our human resources and quality manuals," he said. "The entire company needs to be involved in Lean to share a culture where everyone is trying to do what they do better and as a team." Read More


Kaizens Keep Corrugated Manufacturer Thinking Outside the Box:
published in the "MassMEP Generation Manufacturing Newsletter," August 2009

Massachusetts Container Corp's Unicorr Packaging Group, a corrugated manufacturer, had been experiencing more financial difficulties in their Marlboro, Massachusetts facility than in any of their other five locations. With a large number of competitors in the area, they had to keep prices low to satisfy their customers. Additionally, 75% of what the plant produced was just filling shelves in the warehouse. Read More


Electrified by Lean, V-Tron Sees Big Improvements:
published in the "MassMEP Generation Manufacturing Newsletter," July 2009

"We can say with absolute certainty that we are 25-35% more efficient now - and that is amazing!" - Doug Gobin, President, V-Tron

V-Tron's role as a supplier to General Dynamics represents a large portion of their business with work for the medical industry coming in second. Early in 2008, General Dynamics invited V-Tron to participate in their Supply Chain Project as one of their second tier suppliers. The project was developed by General Dynamics and the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP) to assist suppliers with their continuous improvement programs through Lean and other related training. Grant assistance from the Massachusetts Department of Labor ETA and economic stimulus funded one third of the program, V-Tron paid for one third, and General Dynamics paid for one third. The only stipulation was, "Participating suppliers must be willing to change, must be committed to Continuous Improvement, and must participate without the explicit guarantee of additional work from General Dynamics for doing so." Read More


Nothing Fabricated About Great Results from Lean at ETM Manufacturing:
published in the "MassMEP Generation Manufacturing Newsletter," May 2009

In 2006, Rob Olney became the new owner and President of ETM Manufacturing Co., a precision sheet metal fabrication and machine shop in Wilmington, Massachusetts. The 40 year old company employed 14 people including Vice President George Kendall and Machine Shop Manager Kevin Foskett whose expertise and years with the organization were heavily relied on during the transition. Once the transition was completed, the management team started working on growing the company again. Read More


Lampin Corp: One Man Makes a Difference:
published in the "MassMEP Generation Manufacturing Newsletter," April 2009

Lampin Corporation is not your typical company and Khanh Bui is not your typical employee. Taking a proactive approach, focusing on goals, investing in education, and working hard to stand out from the rest are characteristics shared by both the company and the man and very likely why this story is about success.
Read More


Picking up the Signal: Lean Becomes Foundation for Growth at Diamond Antenna:
published in the "MassMEP Generation Manufacturing Newsletter," March 2009

"The company plans to grow 20-30% in the near future and if there is no infrastructure in place then you can't manage growth properly," said Jeffrey Gilling, President of Diamond Antenna & Microwave. Gilling knew that their business would be growing and presenting opportunities for more people. They needed to be prepared. Read More


MassMEP Lean Champion Roundtable Series: Continuous Improvement Process Measures Up at Invensys Process Systems, Part 1 & 2:
published in the "MassMEP Generation Manufacturing Newsletter," January 2009 and December 2008

Part 1

Growth of 20% over the last two years and a 50% increase in capacity are just a sample of the positive impacts that Invensys Process Systems (IPS), M&I Division, shared at a recent MassMEP Lean Champions Roundtable. The event drew participants from many area companies who wanted to hear about the challenges and successes of IPS's Lean implementation and Continuous Improvement programs. The century-old company, located in Foxboro, Massachusetts, has been working with the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP) on their Continuous Improvement Initiative. IPS Process and Product Manager, Kevin Dailida, welcomed the group and highlighted some of the group's accomplishments. Read More

Part 2

Productivity Improved 25%
The Echem division of Invensys produces measurement equipment and sensors used in the chemical industry. Prior to their Lean program, the work area was crammed with workbenches and product mainly traveled in batches. Training and area flexibility was weak. The company suffered from long lead times for key products (2+ weeks) and encountered team related issues. Read More


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