Home | About MassMEP | Upcoming Events | Success Stories | Partners & Resources | News | Board of Directors Career Opportunities | Contact Us | Enterprise Management | Performance Based Training | Supply Chain Management | Innovative Growth Strategies Success Stories MassMEP Time Wise Principles of Lean Manufacturing Reduce Work and Increase Productivity at BTU International in Billerica BILLERICA, MA - A commitment among the BTU International (BTU) employees in Billerica to seek out and implement Time Wise® Principles of Lean Manufacturing has helped the company become the leading manufacturer of advanced thermal processing equipment for semiconductor packaging. During an on-site visit at the company, Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP) helped participants select a specific pilot project for their facilities. BTU's project focused on their fully enclosed coil heater fabrication. A Time Wise® Value Stream Management System session was implemented, followed by a Kaizen blitz. "The MassMEP Lean Manufacturing Training Workshop was grounded in reality, providing reality based examples and hands-on workshops," said Ron Pawelski, Director of Operations at BTU International. "Most impressive was the three day Kaizen Blitz that was conducted at our facility working side by side with the MassMEP team. We tore things down, cleaned up years of built-up dirt, disposed of inactive equipment, learned to think outside the box and rebuilt the area." After six months of implementation and continuous improvement activities started through the Collaborative Continuous Improvement Training program, BTU continues to see results. Work areas are now more efficient, and more than half the floor space in the fabrication area has been cleared. Introduction of Lean Manufacturing with one of BTU's key suppliers has also cut cycle time by 50 percent, resulting in annualized savings in the heater manufacturing area of $130,000.