(Submitted by Mick Whitt, Manufacturing Business Development Specialist, Manufacturing and Technology Small Business Development Center, OSU South Centers)
Author: Mick Whitt
What’s Your Idea?
(Submitted by Mick Whitt, Manufacturing Business Development Specialist, Manufacturing and Technology Small Business Development Center, OSU South Centers)
You have an idea, a great idea, something no one else has thought of, or you have an idea on how to improve on someone else’s idea. The problem is you don’t have the technical expertise or qualifications to turn it into viable business or even a realistic project.
When it comes to technology, the good news is, there’s probably someone that can already do what you need done. It costs money but it can be done. The real fuel in technology is the idea and one of the most accepted and used forms of technology are apps.
There is a good chance you are reading this very article on a phone, or tablet, that contains dozens and dozens of apps.
Here is an article from Rahul Varshneya entitled “3 Ways to Find a Profitable Mobile App Idea.”
Think long and hard….you just might have the next million dollar idea.
The Lean Manufacturing Buzz
(Submitted by Mick Whitt, Manufacturing Business Development Specialist, Manufacturing and Technology Small Business Development Center, OSU South Centers)
Lean has been a buzz word in manufacturing for several decades and is now popular and useful in many industries. However, going through the process of lean training, implementing lean principles, and checking all the feel-good boxes that make managers and supervisors think they’re making a difference isn’t enough. Whether a company is implementing lean principles for the first time, or has been practicing it for many years, the mind set of lean is what creates the most impact.
Here is an excerpt from Jim L. Smith’s article “Face of Quality” in Quality Magazine.
“Quality at the source (QATS) has been used well before lean manufacturing became so popular. Many people in the quality function have applied the principles especially at critical work areas to detect nonconforming items and prevent them from moving forward in the process. If not given proper planning it can increase appraisal costs and disrupt material flow but as part of a lean initiative, QATS can produce dramatic quality improvements relatively quickly.
QATS is one of the building blocks of lean manufacturing concepts. It can be a powerful stand-alone effort that can produce significant results or it can be partly used in conjunction with a much larger lean initiative.”
Follow the link to read more…
Source: Softwarenewz https://softwarenewz.wordpress.com/2013/08/21/quality-assurance-as-necessity-in-open-source-software-projects/
Job Shadowing
(Submitted by Mick Whitt, Manufacturing Business Development Specialist, Manufacturing and Technology Small Business Development Center, OSU South Centers)
If you are a business that would like to become involved with a job shadowing program for high school students please take to click on the link below for some great information.
We are currently working with two Pike County, Ohio high schools to provide students interested in learning more about specific careers. However, if your business is located some distance from these schools, please contact us and we can put you in contact with the appropriate people to make job shadowing a reality at your place of business.
This is great opportunity for the students to explore career paths, but it is also a chance for businesses like yours to meet the workforce of the very near future, and show them why your career is so exciting!
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Job Shadowing
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Shadowing student learn job possibilities
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Follow the link to learn more about Exploring Careers through Job Shadowing from thebalance.com.
If you are not in a position to host students for job shadowing, forward this article to someone who is, or to a high school student that could benefit from this information.
It is never too early to start preparing for the future!
You may email me at whitt.124@osu.edu or give me a call at 740-289-2071 ext. 252.
Patter Fam Sauces manufacturing process trial
(Submitted by Mick Whitt, Manufacturing Business Development Specialist, Manufacturing and Technology Small Business Development Center, OSU South Centers)
On May 18, the Ohio State University South Centers Small Business Development Center (SBDC) was present for the first day of bottling production at Patter Fam Sauces in Wheelersburg, Ohio.
The day began with a homemade style breakfast, including biscuits, eggs, and bacon, prepared by owner Sam Peters. What a wonderful way to start any work day!
After receiving final inspection and approval from the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Sam invited members of the SBDC business team to act as the production crew for the day. Team members Ryan Mapes, Chris Smalley, and Mick Whitt were involved with the entire process that all employees will perform, such as, calibrating equipment, cleaning and sterilization, preparing ingredients, stirring (a lot of stirring), and filling, capping, sealing, and boxing the finished product.
The benefit of the SBDC team taking part in this day was helping Sam better evaluate exactly how many employees it will take to complete the needed tasks in the allowable time, as well as, going through all the process and work instructions step-by-step to ensure they are clear, easily followed, and include all necessary duties. These precise and detailed work instructions will help reduce new employee training time and uninformed mistakes, thus increasing production and quality.
Patter Fam Sauces is now bottling for a variety of companies as well as maintaining production supplies for their own line of products.
One last detail…
The team was also treated to a delicious meal from Patter Fam’s kitchen for lunch. Sam apparently has not yet learned that if you keep feeding the OSU Business Team…they will keep coming back.
To find out more about information about Patter Fam Sauces or their bottling capabilities, please visit: http://www.patterfamsauces.com/
3D Printing: If Not Now, When?
(Submitted by Mick Whitt, Manufacturing Business Development Specialist, Manufacturing and Technology Small Business Development Center, OSU South Centers)
So what are you waiting for? If you need a prototype, a sample product for a potential customer to evaluate, or even replacement parts for your equipment, why haven’t you tried 3D printing?
I realize the answer to this question usually involves the cost of buying the technology and the 3D printer itself but in reality this is not an excuse anymore. There are many companies, and other resources, available to produce your potential 3D printed parts. While there is still a cost to these services, it is typically much more cost effective than the standard material and machining, or casting, process would be. This is especially beneficial when the part is only a prototype or for the viewing purposes of a customer that only wants to “see” how the product is going to look.
All you need is an electronic model to send to the printing company and you’re in business! Most 3D printers accept files in the STL format. Nearly any CAD software can produce a model in an STL file. Many of the companies producing 3D printed parts also have assistance available to produce the electronic model for you as well.
For more information and available resources for your 3D printer needs, feel free to contact me. Phone: 740-289-2071 ext. 252
Email: whitt.124@osu.edu
Here are two articles to better explain the basics of 3D printing and the potential of 3D printing in the future.
pcmag.com 3D Printing: What You Need to Know
By Tony Hoffman
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2394720,00.asp
ZDNet Body parts and rocket engines: The Sci-Fi case for 3D printing
By Greg Nichols for Robotics
http://www.zdnet.com/article/body-parts-and-rocket-engines-the-sci-fi-case-for-3d-printing/
“GE believes that 3D printing “is the future of manufacturing” and that by 2020 well over 100,000 end-use parts in GE engines will be produced with 3D printing.” – Greg Nichols
Photo Source:
http://www.techerator.com/2013/08/3d-printers-approaching-mass-production-as-key-patents-expire/
Interested in 5S?
(Submitted by Mick Whitt, Manufacturing Business Development Specialist, Manufacturing and Technology Small Business Development Center, OSU South Centers)
Would you like to try applying 5S/Lean principles in your company or work area but are unsure of how to go about it or what it is all about?
We offer step-by-step training on the foundations of 5S and will guide you and your company through the process from beginning to end. This training will be at NO COST to you or your company.
5S is commonly used in manufacturing facilities but is now being widely used in offices, hospitals, schools, and many other various settings. The benefits of organization, efficiency, and waste reduction are needed across all industries and work environments.
Email Mick Whitt at whitt.124@osu.edu for more information and to schedule a meeting today!
If you would like to read more about 5S, its benefits, and to help determine if this is something you would like to pursue, please visit Benefits of 5S: Is Lean 5S just Housekeeping?
Photos from: http://www.invistics.com/calibration-labs/
3-8-2016 Manufacturing Roundtable
(Submitted by Mick Whitt, Manufacturing Business Development Specialist, Manufacturing and Technology Small Business Development Center, OSU South Centers)
If you haven’t already done so, register now for the March 8 Manufacturing Roundtable located at OSU South Centers in Piketon, Ohio.
Never satisfied!
(Submitted by Mick Whitt, Manufacturing Business Development Specialist, Manufacturing and Technology Small Business Development Center, OSU South Centers)
Successful business owners and managers know all too well the danger of trying to tread the proverbial waters of efficiency, quality, production, and skill levels. If you are successful it is because you have realized you must constantly and consistently strive to greater heights and improve in every possible aspect of your company. Satisfaction should be the carrot dangling that is always in sight but never achieved.
Continuous Improvement is a powerful tool and mind-set that allows not only decision makers, but all levels of workers, to feel invested in the process, process improvement, and ultimately the finished product or service provided.
For more information and a great article on Continuous Improvement follow the provided link and begin thinking of new, and maybe often overlooked, ways you and your company can improve.
See more about continuous improvement at Chron Small Business by Demand Media, Benefits of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), by Gregory Hamel, Demand Media
All Eyes on Safety!
(Submitted by Mick Whitt, Manufacturing Business Development Specialist, Manufacturing and Technology Small Business Development Center, OSU South Centers)
While OSHA requires certain reporting and retention of all recordable accidents, injuries, and lost time incidents, if your company only focuses on safety after injuries you are missing out on great opportunities to help avoid these hazardous situations and engaging your workforce in the safety process.
Often you may ask another person to read something that you wrote, or typed, and said to them, “Two eyes are better than one.” The same principle applies to recognizing opportunities to improve safety, eliminating safety hazards, and reducing recordable accidents.
Go to the article from Safetytopics.com, “Is Your Safety Engine Making Power?” to learn more about safety.