Lean Manufacturing

Lean Management Systems are very important to the Berg Companies. We strive to continuously improve our operations through:

  1. Engaging our staff in the Customers needs and Company objectives. We believe strongly that people are hired to bring ideas to work, not just conventional ‘manpower’. We work hard to develop ‘linkage’ with the People, the Purpose and the Process for the sake of improved and more meaningful outcomes.
  2. Eliminating Waste - there are the renowned “7 Deadly Wastes” that we work to hard to identify, reduce and control.
    1. Over Production viewed as the ‘worst’ of all 7 areas of waste as it creates poor use of valuable labor, contributes to excess handling and damages, creates the need for additional storage, adds to inventory obsolescence, etcetera.
    2. Excess Inventory in all areas of our operation (supply inventory, parts, etcetera)
    3. Defects and Poor Quality in Process Steps—This applies to all aspects of the operation, not just the ‘shop floor’.
    4. Unnecessary Transportation of materials, tools, finished goods
    5. Waiting in all facets
    6. Excess Motion or movement
    7. Underutilized Talent - again, everyone must contribute ideas to the business systems
  3. Measurement Driven focus - we also believe strongly in Six Sigma methodologies and good business metrics and measurement systems to bring out the best in operational excellence. These systems help us to better understand our past and current performance, and therefore allow us to ‘dial-in our compass’ better as we continue to move forward.
  4. Partnering in the Supply Chain - we believe strongly that our success in serving customers is inherently linked to the capabilities of every organization upstream of us, and also with those that are ‘downstream’ in the process. Much like the engagement we want from our staff, we want the suppliers to bring ideas and solutions to the table, not just products and services. Collectively we can all find ways to work together closer and be more innovative, reduce costs, process steps, streamline inventory levels, and capitalize on one another’s ideas.