Keeping your manufacturing team productive helps you reach business goals. As you close out the year and get ready for 2022, one of your goals should be to increase your team’s productivity over the next 12 months. This lets you and your team add even greater value to your organization.
Implement these tips to elevate your manufacturing team’s productivity in the new year.
Optimize Your Workflow
Examine your processes to see how they can improve. Include your employees, the hardware they use, and the physical action of production. Also, consider the level of communication throughout your workplace and the resources needed to complete the tasks.
Maintain Your Equipment
Keep your tools properly functioning and machinery operating at full capacity. Also, make sure your staff understands how to use the tools and operate the machinery. They must be able to recalibrate your equipment and troubleshoot when needed to maintain production.
Enforce Lean Manufacturing Principles
Focus on reduced waste, low inventory, and efficient systems for your manufacturing company. For instance, sort your tools, parts, and instructions by whether they are needed or unneeded. Also, organize your tools and parts so they are easy to identify and use. Additionally, maintain a clean work area.
Use Current Manufacturing Technology
Because technology always is changing, make sure you stay current to remain competitive. You should be including the Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI) throughout your organization. Continuously train your staff on how to use the technology.
Remove Unused Tools and Machinery
Any tools and machinery that are not being used are taking up space that could serve a better purpose. Also, the tools and machinery may require maintenance that could be avoided if you did not have them sitting around. If you do not plan on using the tools or machinery, you should get rid of them.
Maximize Your Floor Plan
Organize your tools, equipment, and materials according to the layout of your floor plan. This improves efficiency and keeps the environment safe for your staff to do their work.
Properly Manage Your Inventory
Keep just enough inventory on hand to meet your production demands. If you have too much inventory on hand, you may end up spending additional money to store it. Use the right pricing strategies to help maintain the right amount of inventory at a given time.
Promote Communication
Ask your employees to share their ideas for improving productivity. Because they see firsthand how everything is working, they should be able to identify how things can be run more efficiently. Your staff also are likely to uncover issues you may not have been aware of. Taking action now can save a significant amount of time and money.
Are You in Need of Manufacturing Employees?
Talk with Job Store Staffing® about adding members to your manufacturing team. We would be happy to help you.