Empowering people and streamlining processes

Highlights

This tour will provide you with an in-depth understanding of how they leverage lean manufacturing principles, continuous improvement and innovation to deliver high-quality products while maximizing operational efficiency and reducing waste.

Overview

During this tour, the team will explore how they implemented advanced manufacturing techniques and continuous improvement strategies to maximize efficiency, minimize waste and enhance product quality. Here are the key highlights:

1. Inventory kanban - two-bin system: The team will start by showcasing their efficient inventory management system using the kanban method, particularly the two-bin system. This system allows them to maintain optimal stock levels, reduce excess inventory and streamline material flow, ensuring that production never halts due to material shortages. The Kanban system facilitates better visibility and control over materials, promoting just-in-time inventory practices and reducing carrying costs.

2. Paint line kata: Reducing from two shifts to one shift: Next, they will demonstrate how they've optimized their paint line operations. By employing the kata methodology, they successfully reduced their paint line’s operation from two shifts to just one shift, without sacrificing quality or throughput. This achievement is the result of continuous process refinement, which is part of the company's broader commitment to operational excellence.

3. Continuous improvement through incremental changes: Cambridge believes that the key to long-term success lies in continuous improvement. The team will highlight how small, incremental improvements are implemented daily across all departments. Whether it's adjusting a machine’s settings, optimizing workflows or tweaking assembly processes, each change is designed to incrementally reduce waste and increase efficiency, leading to a more agile and productive environment.

4. Reducing waste in raw material utilization: One of their main objectives is to reduce waste, particularly in raw material utilization. Cambridge has adopted strategies that ensure the use of less material while still producing high-quality units. This includes better material planning, waste reduction in production and enhanced quality control measures that minimize defects. By optimizing raw material usage, they are able to produce more units with fewer resources, resulting in cost savings and greater environmental sustainability.

5. Product demo: Cambridge Air Solutions Heating and Cooling Equipment: Finally, the Cambridge Air team will conclude the tour with a demonstration of Cambridge Air Solutions' Heating and Cooling equipment. This innovative product line exemplifies their commitment to cutting-edge technology and customer satisfaction. They’ll highlight the features and benefits of the equipment, showcasing its energy efficiency, durability and the advanced engineering that goes into each unit.

For 60 years, Cambridge has enriched the lives of its people, customers and suppliers through the design and manufacture of premium ventilation-driven space heating, interlocked process ventilation and multiple cooling technology platforms. These include evaporative cooling and recirculation products for manufacturing, warehouse and industrial facilities.

By deploying a network of 800+ sales representatives in local markets, Cambridge helps leaders in manufacturing and warehousing create healthy work environments for their hard-working people. Through more than 75,000 system installations and four billion square feet of buildings served, millions have experienced improved indoor air quality and better thermal comfort.

Deeply rooted in a continuous improvement (lean) culture, Cambridge is able to create superior products based on quality, effectiveness and the overall customer experience. This mindset is shared openly and freely with like-minded leaders looking to find ways to engage their employees. Cambridge is headquartered in Chesterfield, Missouri with its expansion facility located in Wentzville, Missouri. www.cambridgeair.com