Organize Your Workplace

A licensed coating technology manufacturer in DeKalb connects with the IMEC to achieve 5S workplace organization and layout.

Company

Armoloy of Illinois

Location

DeKalb, Illinois

Number of Employees

100

Solutions

  • Operations
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“I really cannot say enough about working with IMEC. To have a resource on-call with expertise that relates directly to our business and who is truly invested in our success has been a fantastic thing.”
Nolan Hannan
General Manager - Armoloy of Illinois

Situation

Armoloy of Illinois, a licensed coating technology manufacturer in DeKalb, has provided metal plating for rubber and plastic molding, nuclear, automotive, food processing, OEM machine tooling, aerospace and bearing industries for over 55 years. Armoloy was seeking a more thorough exploration of workplace organization and the favorable impacts that the 5S system could generate for their organization. The 5S methodology is crafted to foster ongoing improvement, fostering efficiency and productivity in workplaces through sorting, arranging, cleaning, standardizing, and maintaining practices.

IMEC Solution

Armoloy of Illinois connected with IMEC in October of 2023 to begin their 5S workplace organization training. The initiative commenced with a meeting that involved shop floor members and leaders, providing an overview of the program and its anticipated outcomes. IMEC Technical Specialists revisited the Armoloy facilities to offer guidance and mentorship to the team throughout the different stages of 5S. By learning and implementing the strategies through hands-on training in their own workspace, the elements of 5S become easily replicable and sustainable beyond the training sessions. Key aspects of the training encompassed streamlining processes by eliminating unnecessary steps/equipment, identifying optimal locations for items to enhance efficiency, and organizing the workplace for effective and systematic operations. Following the sorting and setting phase, establishing a routine of maintaining cleanliness, particularly post-work completion, is crucial to ensure consistency across operations and among workers.

As shifts change and roles vary, standardizing workstations facilitates a smooth transition between workers within Armoloy. The company adopted signage, labeling, and standardized instructions uniformly across the facility to minimize confusion. Maintaining these practices and programs requires a dedicated effort from the entire workforce, and emphasizing the importance and benefits of 5S contributes to sustained success in this methodology.

Armoloy conducted informative sessions on 5S and has observed the positive effects of the system throughout its entire organization, resulting in increased efficiency and productivity with lasting impacts. Through the integration of 5S workplace organization, Armoloy has enhanced its facilities to a higher level.

Results

As a result of this project, Armoloy of Illinois now has 4 employees certified in 5S workplace organization. The lasting positive effects of this project for Armoloy of Illinois include increased productivity and less down-time with organized plating racks, standards for organization and labeling leading to less wasted time, individual toolboxes with Kaisen foam which have reduced the number of lost tools, and the adaptation of a red-tag area that has allowed their team to eliminate unused items around the facility.

Impacts
  • Aggregate Impacts of $326,802
  • New Sales of $170,000