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IFC featured
in Manufacturing Today (Continued)
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location are really disadvantaged when it comes to freight,” he notes.
"The economy
has impacted some of our core markets but other segments are still doing well,”
he says. "Our ability to quickly respond with cost effective products is driving
growth in those. Our facility in Mississippi has a real advantage for custom work
even against competitors in China and Mexico."
Lean Manufacturing
Lean manufacturing
is a key tool of IFC’s business, Coerper says. "We need operational lines that can
support shorter and more responsive runs," he says.
IFC implemented lean manufacturing
in 2004, but it did not do well the first year, Coerper notes. "Paper converting
is a difficult model for |
lean," he explains. "Long machine runs, long lead times and high inventory levels
have been part of the business model for years.
"We had to be creative in how we
implemented it.
"We really focused on scheduling, quick change over, and changing
the culture to a new way of thinking about production,” he explains. "The new model
was selective in choosing where a lean line would be placed and where a more traditional
line would be effective. It was not a one-size-fitsall solution."
Coerper says the
company is still on the lean journey. "We’re the largest custom manufacturer of
our type," he says. "We must continue to gain efficiencies and add volume without
having to add a proportional level of staff, inventory and equipment." |
Growth Opportunities
Coerper says he expects IFC to continue to expand to new markets.
"Some of our markets are in tough economic times but these periods offer the best
opportunity to transform the business and to look hard at what we're
doing," he says.
"We have so many opportunities for growth,” he adds.
"We've got a great work
force, supportive communities and a strong cost and value position to work from.
Investing in technology and responsiveness is critical."
"Converting paper is a
mature and competitive marketplace," he says.
"We've been able to put together a
fanatic team and plan," Coerper
adds. "These are very exciting times and we're on
our way to a bright future." mt |
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