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Process Improvement

JBA’s background is heavy in industrial engineering and process improvement. JBA focuses on “Improve While You Move”. In many cases, we look to improve the process of manufacturing, assembly, and distribution in a proactive fashion early in the industrial space design.

 

JBA leverages the use of process planning, tools, process flow documentation, and the detailed evaluation of the improvements that may be considered within the new building.

 

In some cases, the process flow is a simple movement of a box out of a container onto an adjacent roller conveyor. In other cases, we may have a complex electronic assembly of a high-end circuit board. In all cases, JBA is looking for the most logical, effective and price sensitive solution for consideration. In some cases where we are dealing with a fast growing business, we might design the manufacturing space on one layer of the drawing to meet day one requirements and design an entirely different layer to embrace automation and other advancements that might be implemented two to three years later as volume grows.

 

During our travels internationally, we have had the opportunity of working with a wide range of automation levels; from low-level automation to the most sophisticated automatic sortation and other robotic systems. This brings a great deal of value to each client that we evaluate together the appropriate level of automation to support the required volume while controlling costs. With high volume growth, we can “stair-step” the implementation of various levels of automation relative to each level of growth.

JBA Team Planning Excel Spreadsheet

Industrial Space

Planning

JBA’s team of engineers, MBAs and project managers have a wealth of experience in improving productivity in industrial engineering best practices. JBA’s extensive expertise in both your industry as well as many others will bring best practices to the table. We look very carefully at workstation design, productivity tools, material handling systems, and other advancements to support your focus on “Improve While You Move”. There is a wonderful opportunity in leveraging your team’s best practices with JBA’s best practices.

 

The client always makes the final decision, and the process always brings great results.

Many clients find that this industrial engineering space planning effort provides value in both the office and production environments.

 

JBA develops the industrial space planning on AutoCAD which allows all parties to participate in the evaluation and evolution of the layout. We meet with the client multiple times and showcase the layout with the input of all team members. We do look to define the approximate cost associated each of the different industrial engineering advancements recommended.

 

Clients benefit from JBA’s extensive expertise in industrial engineering and space planning. Our goal is to open up the discussions and conceptualize layouts to be considered. The client always makes the final decision, but the industrial space planning often brings to the surface new methods, procedures, and systems.

 

What makes JBA unique is that we have designed millions of square feet of manufacturing and processing space within many industries. The value of our extensive experience is seen in a major way throughout the layout development.

Manufacturing Process Improvement

JBA’s extensive manufacturing experience crosses many fields: designing metal, plastic, electronic, wood and many other types of manufacturing operations. Ranging from simple changes to the most sophisticated computerized equipment in manufacturing. JBA looks carefully at the current process and identifies how we can improve the layout, workstation, process, methods, and systems so clients can enjoy improvement within their current facility or new building. 

 

We encourage all clients to be open to new ideas and new processes. Each company is presented with opportunities to study their current processes and define small, medium and large opportunities for your personal advancement.

 

JBA works with the development of your current process documentation. It forms the foundation for evaluation and improvement. You may look at the simple nature of unloading a truck or container of boxes and then auditing it to the storage areas. JBA finds there are normally small, medium and large process improvements that can be embraced to dramatically reduce the travel distance, a number of times handled, and overall process. This may involve the application of a new layout, increased automation or simple adjustments in placement and positioning.

 

As JBA is documenting your current process, we cannot help but tap into our 60 plus years of industrial engineering expertise. We normally can reduce the labor component by 20% or more through process improvement. JBA uses multiple advanced tools such as Value Stream Mapping, Industrial Engineering Process Documentation, Work Measurement Assessment and other advanced engineering tools to define and implement improvement in space, process, and productivity.

 

JBA’s team works very closely with each level of management within your operation to make sure you enjoy process improvement from JBA and your wonderful in-house team.

Improve Productivity

Many clients find that JBA’s expertise in improving personal performance adds to the value of JBA’s industrial engineering facility design efforts. You might say that the first step is to develop the layout or tool and the next logical step is to train and motivate the team to maximize the utilization of the tool.

 

Whether you are expanding or downsizing your manufacturing or distribution center JBA's team of engineers and MBAs can support your re-engineering and improvement effort.

 

In a changing economy some JBA clients are looking at increasing volume within a controlled environment while others are looking to reduce their facility cost to match a reduction in current year volume. In both cases JBA uses industrial engineering and facility planning tools to maximize your profitability.

 

Manufacturing organizations, leading real estate corporations and landlords all turn to JBA for solid facility planning and reengineering.

 

In a changing economy all parties must be assessing the current market and driving their business in a productive fashion.

 

JBA has a team of over 100 years of business and manufacturing experience to leverage. JBA has an “eye” for productivity. We often will borrow from past clients within the same industry or in other industries to design the ideal layout and to develop the ideal methods for the team to follow.

Seminars:

Bob Barry and the JBA team are extremely effective at teaching. Over the last 50 plus years , JBA’s team has trained thousands of owners, managers and team members in all facets of business, marketing, manufacturing, supervision, etc. JBA has proprietary reports, manuals, and software that support this education process.

 

Lean Six-Sigma Training:
JBA’s team supports our valued clients with a solid understanding and hands-on experience in implementing the best practices of Lean Manufacturing Training and Six Sigma methodologies. You will find JBA’s team to be extremely effective at evaluating a process and defining solid improvements in a proactive and cost-effective manner .

 

Move Management & International Relocation:

John Barry and Associates has performed its work in every state and in many countries around the world .

 

JBA has supported clients with international relocation in Canada, Mexico, Australia, South America, Europe and the Orient.

 

JBA has extensive experience in supporting US manufacturers moving to Mexico.

 

Many clients that have considered a move to Mexico find JBA’s engineering approach to assessing the true opportunity and challenges to be very effective. JBA’s team has traveled to all the major industrial centers in Mexico and has current data on issues such as:

 

 

JBA customizes its International Relocation Support Program to meet your exact needs. The normal process is:

 

 

JBA has excellent connections with the leading real estate brokers serving Mexico as well as many leading shelter organizations that might be considered. JBA purposely is not tied economically to any agency, vendor or contractor. Through this, we can “sit directly in your chair” and develop a plan that supports your best interest.

 

For many U.S. manufacturers, Mexico represents an opportunity to save dramatically on direct labor costs. Also, it allows you to put your product on the market right away and in several cases can save your organization in distribution costs vs. your current or future China operation.

 

JBA is pleased to support your assessment of Mexico, China, South America and all other potential manufacturing sites that you may wish to consider.

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