The tour will show how this high volume, high mix factory has implemented lean principles in a factory originally designed for batch-based mass production. Gemba boards, digital pace boards and various kanban systems are some of the visual tools guests will see. The tour will include case studies where continuous improvement tools like value stream mapping, kaizen blitzes, just-in-time techniques and some unique scheduling tools have been used to drastically reduce lead time, floor space, WIP and raw material inventories. Most importantly, you will witness an ever evolving team work culture and see lean transformation in action.
Join Power Partners in celebrating success along the lean journey.
Power Partners manufactures overhead distribution transformers in Athens, GA. The factory was built by Westinghouse in 1958, sold to ABB in 1990, purchased by private investors in 2003, and finally by Open Gate Global in 2016. The factory has been on a lean journey since the 2003 purchase, and this journey continues today.
Its production ranges from engineered-to-order one-off units to maintaining kanban levels of high volume units at customers’ sites. Adding to the challenge of producing about 3,000 unique finished goods SKUs annually, the company must continue to find ways to be cost-competitive in a commodity-dependent industry while responding to customer emergencies within hours when natural disasters strike.
It is a union facility and successfully maintains a partnership type of relationship with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and Athens Westinghouse Employees Association (AWEA.)
