INFORMATION #4 EDSR 11-10-2008eTrends Newsletter
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INFORMATION
Mehelich, Catherine
From: Enterprise Minnesota [reply@enterpriseminnesota.org]
Sent: Monday, November 03, 2008 3:30 PM
To: Mehelich, Catherine
Subject: eTrends Newsletter
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:: CMMA Helping Area Businesses Compete
:: The Latest News
:: Interscapes Inc. Renews their Lean Journey
CMMA Helping Area Businesses Compete
Minnesota's central region is
projected to create nearly 90
percent of Minnesota's new
manufacturing jobs by 2014.
To bolster the region's ability
to promote and strengthen
the industry area leaders
have formed the Central
Minnesota Manufacturers As:
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Gv?~n~tficict~trur~ ;~s~ t,i~
~ociation (CMMA).
"We wanted to provide something that helps area manufacturers," said
Harry Larson, business development specialist for Enterprise Minnesota,
Inc. and CMMA membership committee chair.
The group, entering its second year, is hoping to attract additional
members and continue growing to serve area manufacturers. In this last
year alone CMMA has grown to 51 members and aims to attract 75 by the
end of the year. "We thought there would be great interest in some effort
to form a collaborative effort," said Linda Bessie, CMMA vice president
and human resources manager at Komo Machine, Inc. in Sauk Rapids.
The group's members are located throughout central Minnesota, including
St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids, St. Joseph, Monticello and Foley. CMMA's goal is
to help their members promote and strengthen the industry by providing
education, resources, and building professional networks.
"Manufacturers in central Minnesota will find that CMMA has institutional
value," said Bessie. "This association has value for all members whether
in manufacturing or a supporting industry."
Bessie said that CMMA has hosted educational speakers on insurance
issues, R&D tax credits, and the advantages of lean manufacturing. This
The Latest News
News and items of note
• Co..m.pames_A..warded__Hon_ors: Nine
Minnesota companies that have succeeded in
developing markets overseas are the
recipients of the 2008 Governor's International
Trade Awards from the Minnesota Trade
Office. The companies were announced
earlier this month and include Dayisco Foods
International. Harrriom~ Enterpris..e..s.lnc„
Hysdron._Inc., Lion P ~ :?~~r, ~!onn Medical,
Inc., Nova Tech E c ~ gig, rZed__?Ning 5hae
Co. Inc., SJE-Rhombr. ,and St. Jude Medical
Inc.
• Tekne Award Winners: 2G08 Tekne
winners were announced this month, with
notable awards going to C.ymbet Corporation
in the Advanced Manufacturing- Small &
Growing category, and to 3[~1 in the
established category. Also honored were
individuals whose achievements in science
and technology have made lasting
contributions to the state. These individuals
are the first inductees into the Minnesota
Science and Technology Hall of Fame and
include Earl Bakken, Seymour Cray, Richard
P. Daly, H. Ted Davis, Charles M. Denny, Jr.,
Dr. Bernice Folz, William George, Larry
Jodsaas, William C. Norris, and Lawrence
Perlman.
• Green Star Facility: The Minnesota
Pallutia~ Contral_Agency (MPCA) recently
awarded i7iversified Plastics Inc. of
11~5~2~~g
eTrends Newsletter
past summer, they held a breakfast for members and area legislators to
discuss public policy issues, and they plan to bring members to the State
Capitol in early 2009 to share with local legislators the value of
manufacturing to their region and the state as a whole.
Larson said that one of the greatest resources that CMMA can provide is
connecting members with the resources to solve problems or find new
ideas. "Our biggest resource is connecting people with others that might
know an answer or have a solution."
For more information about CMMA membership, contact Harry Larson
(harry.larson@enterpriseminnesota.org).
interscapes Inc. Renews their Lean Journey
lnter~ ~ ~?~.rs Ine_, is renewing
its quest to eliminate
unnecessary activity and
improve workflow inside the
company. After completing a
Business Process Review at
the end of 2007, the
company is currently on pace
to grow by 30 percent in
2008 -while facing a market
that is down 20 percent.
Employing 35 people, and
located in the heart of
Minneapolis, Interscapes is
an architectural woodworking
firm that serves general
contractors throughout the
United States. They produce reception desks, wood cabinetry, and
custom design woodwork primarily for commercial and office use.
In 2003, they entered their lean journey and, as a result, Interscapes grew
nearly 20 percent annually for more than four years. However, they lost
focus on lean initiatives and eventually their annual growth dropped to five
percent. Interscapes saw a need to assess their current situation and plan
for a successful future. With the help of Enterprise Minnesota, they
decided that a Business Process Review was the best place to start.
A Business Process Review is a first step in taking a strategic approach to
help improve a business. Using this nationally recognized assessment
tool, a business is able to measure performance against globally
competitive criteria.
"For most companies, there is no shortage of opportunities to improve,
just a shortage of time and resources," said Enterprise Minnesota
specialist Mary Connor, who worked with Interscapes Inc. on the project.
"A Business Process Review helps identify and prioritize improvements."
Ron Lyrek, president of Interscapes, and his employees began the
Business Process Review by completing survey evaluations of their
organization. Interscapes employees and leadership analyzed operations
from an internal perspective -being fair to judge strengths and limitations.
After providing their information, Interscapes hosted Enterprise Minnesota
specialists for an on-site evaluation of their operations.
Enterprise Minnesota's goal was to provide an outside, impartial
perspective in the Business Process Review. They reviewed six key
categories including management, marketing, operations, quality, health
and safety, and technology. Enterprise Minnesota brought together all of
the survey results and on-site analysis in the final Business Process
Review report.
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Minneapolis as a Minnesota Green Star
Facility, making it the state's first injection
molder to receive the award. MPCA awards
Green Star facilities following an audit by the
agency that acknowledges compliance with all
applicable environmental requirements.
• Baldridge Award Reviewers Wanted: Each
year the Baldrige Program recruits experts
from business, education organizations,
health care providers, nonprofits and other
groups to serve on the Board of Examiners for
the Ma_Icolm Baldrige National Q_u~iity Award.
The application form for the 2009 Board of
Examiners will be ava..la.ble_on.Li.n.e. starting
Nov. 5, 2008. Applications must be submitted
electronically; the deadline is 2 p.m. Eastern
time on Jan. 6, 2009.
• State__Economy: Minnesota's
unemployment rate dropped 0.3 percent to a
seasonally adjusted 5.9 percent in
September, according to figures released by
the Minnesota D_epartmeni of EmpEoymel~t
and EccanomicD. evelopment. Minnesota
employers cut 2,300 jobs in September,
reflecting a continued national economic
slowdown. Over the past 12 months,
employment in Minnesota has declined 0.7
percent, while the nation has declined 0.4
percent.
• Deadline Approaching: The IDEA
Competition deadline, November 15, 2008 is
fast approaching. Up to ten thousand dollars
cash will be awarded to five breakthrough
ideas to help launch a business. IDEA (which
stands far Ingenuity Drives Entrepreneur
Acceleration) is a project of Ingenuity Frontier,
a collaboration of partners joined by a
common purpose - to grow the economy of
Northwest Minnesota by outfitting the next
generation of homegrown innovators for
success in the global marketplace. For more
information, open the attached flyer or visit
www.ideacompetition.org.
Upcoming Events:
Creating Profit Through a Lean Journey
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Open Systems, Inc. Shakopee
Implementing Lean in your workplace isn't just
a one-and-done project. Truly successful
companies travel the Lean Journey -
implementing Lean long-term, and throughout
the entire company. More than just creating
greater efficiency, it is creating profit through a
Lean Journey. Hear how a panel of experts
has found success by embracing change,
seeking out new opportunities, empowering
their employees, and continually looking for
new ways to improve their processes and
systems. Speakers include:
• Rob Tracy, president & CEO, Intek Plastics
• Sam Wagner, director of advanced
manufacturing, Donnelly Custom
Manufacturing
• Dave Krueger, vice president of sales &
marketing, Quality Tool
• Dave Goodwin, CEO, Reviva
11/5/2008
eTrends Newsletter
Interscapes Business Process Review identified areas of strength and
weakness and targeted competitive areas for improvement. Wanting to
continue their Lean journey, Interscapes began utilizing the Business
Process Review to improve efficiency and grow business. They developed
an IT disaster plan and transformed their office using Lean techniques.
The resulting changes have eliminated waste, increased efficiency, and
made better use of staff resources. Notably, after using the information in
the BPR, Interscapes identified and eliminated office inefficiencies that
have shortened lead times by eight percent.
"The Business Process Review gave us a compass and direction," said
Lyrek. "It provided a baseline to see where we were weak and strong.
Now we're together and on the same page to set priorities and plan."
To keep up with new growth, Interscapes added a new engineering
position and eliminated outsourcing some of their work. The company
plans to use the Business Process Review to further improve business
and continue on their Lean journey.
Page 3 of 3
Register at www.enterprjsemmnes...ota.org.
Gaining an Edge: Critical Thinking for
Improved Decision Making
Friday, November 21, 2008
Waconia Americlnn, Waconia
For more information, email
jlwalters@charter.net
Six Sigma Forum
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Ecolab Research Center, Eagan
More information visit
http://w..w...w.courcilfarqua.lty.org/
Grow Minnesota! Annual Meeting
How To Compete In Today's Economy
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Hilton Minneapolis
Register _.0..n I. i_n e
Do you have news or events to submit?
Email them to
Hate.duoss@enterpriseminnesota.org or
call 612.455.4213
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