Manufacturing - Power Tools
Industry
Manufacturing – Power Tools
Size
Mid Market
Expertise
Performance Improvement and Cost Management
Assignment
This U.S. based manufacturing company had recently been purchased by a competitor with headquarters in Hong Kong, and assembly operations in Southeast China. Our assignment was to manage the transfer of high-volume sku’s from Mexico and the United States, to existing assembly plants in China.
Actions
One of MainStream’s principals was engaged to lead the efforts in Asia and in fact spent more than 200 workdays in China to lead the assembly transfer. Early in the process we identified that the assembly would also require the relocation of the supply base from North and Central America to Asia. To make the transfer a success our team also assumed responsibility to simultaneously train the Chinese counterparts in modern manufacturing techniques.
Results
Transfer Teams were organized in all three countries. Virtually all training was completed in China due to the complications involved in obtaining U.S. travel visas for the Chinese workers. Product transfers were scheduled in order from least to most complex relative to product assembly. The company’s existing processes and equipment were transferred to China in tact reducing the need for additional capital investment. A combination of existing component suppliers and new suppliers were qualified to meet product specifications. Finished product was inspected by qualified U.S. personnel in China to compress the transfer project cycle time.