VIBCO, Inc.

Customer Invited to Speak at EASTEC 2009 Lean and Green Resource Center

Karl Wadensten, President of VIBCO Vibrators of Wyoming, Rhode Island, will be a featured guest speaker at EASTEC 2009 where he will talk about his company’s lean manufacturing practices and cultural changes; dedication to continuous improvement, and measurable improvements in productivity and sales.

Founded in 1962, VIBCO designs, manufactures and markets more than 1,300 industrial vibration products to customers throughout North America and world markets. Food packaging, concrete compaction, and settling of materials in railroad cars are applications that utilize VIBCO’s products.  The company has been recognized by the Governor of Rhode Island and area business groups for its role as an outstanding employer and contributor to the manufacturing community.

Eighteen months after beginning its lean manufacturing journey, VIBCO realized remarkable results:  98% of orders were delivered within one day, instead of seven to ten days. Today, three years after going “lean,” almost 50% of total sales volume is shipped within one hour of order receipt.  Inventory is reduced by about $2 million and the company’s customer database is 35% larger.

Job changeover times on the five Okuma machine tools on VIBCO’s shop floor are greatly shortened: vertical milling centers that used to experience one-and-a-half hours of downtime between jobs now require only eight minutes.  Downtime on the Okuma CNC lathes has been shortened from one-and-a-half hours to less than twenty minutes, with even shorter changeover times in sight.
 
Wadensten gained extensive knowledge about lean manufacturing and the Toyota Production System through self- education and his involvement with Greater Boston Manufacturing Partnership (GBMP), a network member of Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and affiliate of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Convinced that his company had room for improvement, Wadensten committed himself 100% to lean manufacturing. Motivating employees is Wadensten’s greatest strength.  

“I believe that everyone wants to be the best that they can be.   We look at the process, not the people, if there’s a weakness in production,” says Wadensten.

Lengthy meetings and written business strategies are things of the past. Management and staff meet daily in the conference room for fifteen minutes of morning stretches and sharing of ideas. Many new ideas get a verbal go-ahead from Wadensten in between lunges. Four hours per week are dedicated to staff training and development.

Wadensten generously shares his time and company’s story at with other business leaders. More than sixty business presidents have participated in recent lean manufacturing workshops and tours offered free of charge at VIBCO where machinists, assemblers, and office staff demonstrate and describe how they reduced excess steps, handling and waste.

“Lean is a 100% commitment by everyone in the company, from the top, down,” remarks Wadensten.  “The majority of our staff experiences more job satisfaction today as a result of feeling more empowered.”

Wadensten will speak about "Vibration Nation: Learning to See" on Wednesday, May 20 from 12:00 noon until 12:25 p.m.  Look for the charismatic personality wearing an Army helmet, colorful print shirt, jeans, and cowboy boots and get ready for an eye- opening experience!

To learn more about the educational sessions offered at EASTEC 2009 Lean and Green Resource Center, click here.