Competition is getting tough. Profits are being squeezed, costs are going up and sales are declining. What is needed is to find ways to reduce costs, while increasing quality and becoming more competitive. A good first step is to start using 5S.

5S is a systematic approach to cleaning up and getting organized. That sounds rather simple, and it is. There is a lot more to 5S than cleaning up and getting organized. 5S goes beyond just cleaning up. For example, 5S says that at the end of the day (or shift) that all machines should be cleaned. Not only cleaned, but thoroughly inspected. With a clean machine spotting a fresh oil leak becomes easy, and that allows for preventive maintenance before the machine has more serious problems.

We have created an introductory guide about 5S. It describes 5S, how to implement 5S, and the benefits you can expect from 5S. It gives all the basic information needed to help you determine whether you want to pursue implementing 5S in your facility. The Introduction to 5S Guide is available free.

Your competition is tough. Isn't it time to start taking advantage of the power and benefits that lean manufacturing techniques can bring? 5S is a good place to start. It is relatively easy and not costly to implement. And the benefits can quickly be helping your bottom line.

Labels: 5S, Lean Manufacturing

posted by Steve Hudgik - 12:21:00 PM - - Permanent Link to This Article

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Times are getting tough and everything you can do to get an edge on the competition will pay off on your bottom line. 5S is a lean manufacturing technique that will help you accomplish this.

(Get your FREE copy of our Introduction to 5S.)

5S is a systematic approach to cleaning up and getting organized. This may sound like something you are already doing, but by taking a systematic approach 5S goes deeper and provides bottom-line benefits for your company that you may have otherwise missed.

For example, by thoroughly cleaning up a machine, problems such as lubricant leaks become easier to spot. Having a specified storage location for each tool makes finding tools easier, and ensures tools receive proper care and maintenance. And 5S makes waste easier to identify and thus eliminate.

What's great about 5S is that it can be implemented at a relatively low cost and the benefits can be significant. With just a basic understanding of 5S you can get started at essentially no cost and expand your implementation of 5S as it proves its effectiveness.

Labels: 5S, Lean Manufacturing

posted by Steve Hudgik - 7:10:00 AM - - Permanent Link to This Article

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A visual workplace is one in which visual communication methods, such as labels and signs, are used to communicated needed information at the point of need. The visual workplace concept works hand-in-hand with lean manufacturing techniques to boost productivity, reduce waste, improve safety, cut costs and deliver improved customer satisfaction and greater profits.

Today Graphic Products introduced their latest web site suite. It is a group of web sites about visual communication, lean manufacturing techniques, and the value of proper labeling and signs. This visual communication suite has four web sites.

Label Printer (www.labelprinter.com) is the base, visual communication web site. It features "Five Steps To A Visual Workplace" and shows why the DuraLabel PRO is the label and sign printer industry chooses to provide visual communication. This site also hosts our new Lean Manufacturing blog with news and commentary on kaizen, kanban, 5s, visual communication, and TPM related topics.

Kaizen (kaizen.labelprinter.com) features information about kaizen and how labels and signs are used to support kaizen. This site answers questions such as: What is kaizen? What are the benefits of kaizen? Have other companies been successful in implementing kaizen?

Kanban (kanban.labelprinter.com) describes kanban and shows how a kanban system can be put in place. It illustrates the importance of labels and signs for the successful implementation of kanban.

5S (5s.labelprinter.com) shows the five steps of 5S, describing each step and what the benefits are. Using a label printer such as the DuraLabel PRO to establish a visual workplace is an important component of 5S. Since 5S involves getting the workplace cleaned up and organized, using visual communication (labels and signs) is key to establishing and maintaining an organized workplace.

The kaizen, kanban and 5S web sites include a short quiz you can use to test your knowledge of these lean methods.

Labels: 5S, kanban, Lean Manufacturing, visual workplace

posted by Steve Hudgik - 2:00:00 PM - - Permanent Link to This Article

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Graphic Products has announced today that they have established a new 5S web site designed to provide basic information about 5S and visual communication. The 5S web site is located at: http://5s.labelprinter.com/index.php.

Called "The 5S Plan" this new web site features introductory information about 5S. It will help those who are new to 5S understand what 5S is and the benefits of 5S. It also provides a free, online 5S quiz you can use to test your knowledge of 5S and compare yourself with others who have taken the quiz.

Labels: 5S

posted by Steve Hudgik - 8:00:00 AM - - Permanent Link to This Article

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For a limited time the DuraLabel web site is featuring a holiday special that offers two 5S guides FREE. You get both the 5S Standard Color Code Guide and the 5S Philosophy Guide in a single package.

This 5S Special offer ends January 2, 2008. Visit the DuraLabel web site to request your free 5S Guides.

The 5S Standard Color Code Guide shows the color system for 5S that has developed from common usage. By using a standard color coding system confusion is eliminated and training time reduced.

The 5S Philosophy Guide is a 14-page booklet that provides a quick start reference to 5S. It describes the five steps of 5S and provides a concise overview describing how to implement 5S.

Labels: 5S, Free Guides

posted by Steve Hudgik - 7:18:00 AM - - Permanent Link to This Article

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Graphic Products has just introduced their guide to the standard 5S color coding system. This guide is available free.

There is no published standard for the color coding used with 5S. However, as a result of common use a defacto standard has developed. The new guide from graphic Products shows this commonly used color coding system in a simple, one-page format. Overall categories are identified for the seven colors used for color coding, with examples given for each category.

The 5S Standard Color Code guide is suitable for use as a desk reference or wall chart. It is available either laminated or unlaminated.

Labels: 5S, Free Guides

posted by Steve Hudgik - 8:41:00 AM - - Permanent Link to This Article

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Implementing a 5S program means establishing new work procedures and standards. One of the more difficult aspects of implementing a 5S program is that of changing people's work habits. It is always easier to go back to the old, familiar, comfortable way of doing things. A Varitronics poster printer can be a valuable tool that helps with training employees and maintaining the skills and behaviors they've learned in the training.

Using a Varitronics poster printer you can create custom 5S posters and signs that reinforce what was taught in your 5S training. 5S poster and signs can be used on the shop floor, or in the field, at the point of need. They can refresh employees memories on both procedures and the benefits resulting from establishing a 5S way of doing things. Posters and signs can also communicate important safety and quality information.

A Varitronics poster printer can be connected directly to your PC and used like any other printer. The difference is that the output will be poster sized. Varitronics poster printers are economical because the "ink" is included as a part of the paper. The thermal transfer printing process fuses the colored "ink", that is built into the paper, to produce the text and graphics on your poster, sign or banner. There is no need to purchase expensive ink cartridges.

In addition to creating 5S posters, a Varitronics poster printer can be used throughout your organization. It can print custom sales materials for trade shows and presentations. It can create training visuals, motivation posters, parking lot signs, and banners promoting safety goals and much more.

Labels: 5S, Business Presentations

posted by Steve Hudgik - 9:05:00 AM - - Permanent Link to This Article

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This free booklet provides an introduction to the Japanese 5S system for improving quality, productivity, profits and employee attitudes.

The 5S system involves cleaning, sorting and organizing in a logical way such that the overall workflow is improved. This free booklet introduces the basics of the 5S system, allowing you to try out your own 5S program.

Labels: 5S, Lean Manufacturing

posted by Steve Hudgik - 9:59:00 AM - - Permanent Link to This Article

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