Mantaline’s Integration of Two Locations Creates Stronger Overall Synergy
Engineered Gaskets and Seals Manufacturing Company Achieves Successful Consolidation
MANTUA, OHIO (February 18, 2010) – The past year brought many changes to manufacturers in the rubber industry. Northeast Ohio extruding manufacturer, Mantaline Corporation of Mantua, Ohio, pulled off an impressive integration feat by blending people, processes and programs to create a stronger culture and to optimize their manufacturing effectiveness.
Over the last 8 months, Mantaline has achieved many milestones, including successfully moving several production lines, consolidating a production facility, introducing a new solid core extrusion product line, adding six or seven new major customers and opening a new international production facility.
What’s their secret for a successful manufacturing integration? Knowing ‘what to measure’ is just part of the equation of success, according to Diane Kruis, Director of Operations for Mantaline. “Besides using the right metrics, you must evaluate the flow through operations. If people understand what the goal is and how they will be measured, they can be successful.”
Kruis speaks from experience. Kruis and her staff have been responsible for a successful set of changes that would intimidate even the most experienced manufacturing experts.
How did they do it?
Kruis attributes the successful integration of two locations and cultures to mutual goals, a clear plan and having the right people in place. Every morning the manufacturing team holds a production meeting to determine what, if anything is holding the company back from reaching their goals for the week. In addition, once a month there is a meeting with the entire management team where all the metrics are reported and their successes are celebrated.
“Our job is to eliminate the constraints,” Diane explained. “I work hard to make sure that people can do their job. They know what the goal is and how we measure progress.”
The company has benefited by eliminating redundancy, capitalizing on available capacity and leveraging resources. Now the engineering department is just a short walk away from the production line, so instead of getting a phone call, gathering papers, getting in the car and driving six miles to the next town, the engineer is nearby and the line doesn’t have to shut down while a challenge is being resolved.
By moving lines from Aurora into Mantua, more than just communications have improved. They make it a point to have just the right amount of material at each work station: too much material, and the tow motors can’t get around or too little material and the line shuts down for replenishment.
“Since our consolidation, we are now better able to deploy our associates. We’ve cross trained people so we can shift them around in the plant,” she explained. “This allows us more flexibility which results in better productivity.”
Kruis has been with Mantaline for more than 20 years, working in every department including training and development. The manufacturing manager and the supply chain manager are also both women, a rarity in the manufacturing industry.
ABOUT MANTALINE CORPORATION
Located in the heart of the polymer industry, Mantaline Corporation is a world-class leader known for its engineering competence, quality and precision in the extruded parts in the heavy truck, off-road vehicles, rail, automotives, recreational vehicles, and marine industries. For more information about Mantaline, visit their site at www.mantaline.com, call (800) 321-0948, or email info@mantaline.com.