The Importance of Benchmarking and the Perils of Being Too Lean


The heads of two software companies share their thoughts this week on topics such as product design complexity, the state of PLM and global manufacturing, and the potential organizational benefits of integrating Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) and Quality Management solutions.

We also take a look at the flip side of being lean - how unforseen circumstances like natural disasters can have far-reaching consequences in the global supply chain, and reveal how many manufacuring executives have never participated in an operational benchmarking project (it's a higher number than you might think).

Chat with Chuck: Find out why Siemens CEO Chuck Grindstaff is excited for 2014 [PODCAST]

During this chat, President & CEO of Siemens Chuck Grindstaff displays his excitement and anticipation for the year to come based on what his fellow employees and customers are working on. Chuck begins his discussion by recapping on last year, which you can catch in the video below. During the embedded video snippet, Grindstaff also provides insight into how Siemens is combating the increasing complexity in product design and manufacturing. Other topics touched upon during the full interview include how Siemens plans to support next generation engineers, the thriving global manufacturing sector, and the future of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software. Click here to access the entire 25 minute podcast.

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Harmonizing QMS with Business Management Systems – Part 2: MOM Systems Benefit from QMS Integration

Michael Rapaport of IQS provides further insight into how MOM systems can benefit from QM software integration, and more specifically how the entire organizational processes can be improved. Aside from automating manual processes, MOM-to-QMS integration also allows for the effective Cost of Quality (CoQ) benchmarking. Rapaport also adds that such harmonization helps to improve Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) solutions. Read more.

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How Lean Do You Really Want To Be?

Trends in manufacturing and supply chain have consisted of just-in-time (JIT) deliveries, minimal to zero inventory levels, and outsourced production. While doing so has allowed companies to achieve cost efficiency, it has also left them with no “Plan B” if disruption ensues. In this Manufacturing.net article, Tom McNamara and Erika Masillac provide examples of how unfortunate past events such as earthquakes, tsunamis, explosions, and floods have affected manufacturing facilities and, in some cases, severely disturbed the entire supply chain for years to come. Companies are now asking themselves how lean they really want and/or need to be. McNamara and Masillac also look into what some of today’s Lean evaluations are looking like and how some companies are changing their approach. Read more.

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7 Benefits of Benchmarking Your Manufacturing Performance

describe the imageDid you know that 65% of executives have never participated in a benchmarking project? 

Mike Roberts describes why understanding your performance internally as well as against competitors is critical for achieving operational excellence. Roberts provides seven benefits of performance benchmarking, as well as presents the initial findings from our Metrics that Matter research study. If you're on the fence about whether or not benchmarking is worth it, this article is for you.

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All entries in this Industrial Transformation blog represent the opinions of the authors based on their industry experience and their view of the information collected using the methods described in our Research Integrity. All product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.

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