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Spring 2009

Sections

Articles

“Drive thy businessor it will drive thee.”

-Benjamin Franklin

INSIDE

UII/MAP Board of DirectorsBoard Chair:

Roger Nielsen

President

Abbey Group Companies

Vice Chair:

Francis X. McGorry

President

The Phila. Coca-Cola Bottling Co.

Board Members:

Andrew Altman

Deputy Mayor for Planning &

Economic Development/

Commerce Director

Louis Eni

President

Dietz & Watson, Inc.

Reese Hartey

President

Mayfair Community

Development Corporation

David Keiser

Executive Vice President

Tioga Pipe & Supply Company, Inc.

Andrea Levin

President

Penn Scale Manufacturing Co.

John MacDonald

President and General Manager

Impact Services Corporation

Michael F. Savage, Jr.

Executive Vice President

PTR Baler & Compactor Co.

Stephen F. Jurash

President & CEO

the advocate is published four times each

year by the Manufacturing Alliance of

Philadelphia and is intended to assist

Philadelphia manufacturers, promote this

sector of our economy and provide it with

timely information on matters of interest.

It is distributed to all manufacturers within

the city.

Inquiries should be made to theManufacturing Alliance of Philadelphia

1401 Arch Street 6th Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19102

Phone: 215-683-2144

email: [email protected]

Government Watch pg. 5Trade & Association News pg. 6Upcoming Events pg. 8

Are Customers FindingYour Website? pg. 1

The Keys To ContinuallyImproving The Workplace pg. 3

So you’ve spent significant time and

money developing your company’s website

into a tool to promote your products and

share information about your company ...

but are you sure your website is being

found by the people searching for it?

A frequent mistake many companies make

in developing their website is that they do

not focus on Search Engine Optimization.

Commonly known as SEO, this includes a

number of techniques used to drive people to

your website. The more people that can find

your site, navigate through it easily, and take

action, the more customers you’ll have.

Search Google, Yahoo, or MSN for your

company’s name; is it listed within the first

page of results? If not, your customers may

never find your company through a typical

search engine. Search engine users rarely take

the time to view the results past the first page.

Search for keywords to describe your company

such as “Metal Fabricator Philadelphia” to see

where you rank.

To make your website more searchable and

user friendly, make sure your site is frequently

updated and check out these easy changes.

• Increase the links to and from your site. Ask

customers, suppliers or associations you are a

member of to provide a link to your site on

theirs, and vice versa. The more legitimate

sites that link to your site, the better your

search engine ranking. You can check to see

which sites link to yours by searching in

Google for “links:www.yoursiteaddress.com”

• Use Meta tags in your site. Meta tags are

hidden codes in your website that a search

engine crawler would use to match a searched

term. Have your web designer include Meta

descriptions for each page of your website

including keywords commonly used with your

product or service.

• Remove any dead links or dead pages.

Non-working pages or links will hurt your

search ranking and trouble your site’s users.

• Register your site. Submit your site and

content with the three big search engines

(Google, Yahoo! and MSN) to increase your

site’s visibility.

• List your website on www.dmoz.org. This

site uses volunteer editors to review sites

instead of crawlers; this helps to determine the

legitimacy of websites.

• Create a Sitemap on your site. If you submit

this to the big search engines, users cancontinued on page 2

Project1:The advocate 3/12/09 1:01 PM

Jason Reisman, Esq.,Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP

Today's rapidly changing workplace makes itimperative that employers develop aggressive - asopposed to reactive - labor relations and humanresource strategies. Mr. Reisman concentrateshis practice in the areas of labor andmanagement relations, wage and hour, andemployment discrimination.

Seek legal advice before you need a Lawyer!

215 665-3251

Stephano Slack LLC is a regional CPA firmspecializing in middle-market manufacturing anddistribution companies. Our commitment is toprovide privately owned manufacturers with timely,reliable financial information, as well as creativebusiness and tax advice necessary for manufacturersto achieve their goals.

610-687-1600

Specializing in the power of needs

of Manufacturing.Stock & install wooden poles, service & install out-door lighting, bucket trucks to 60’, auger cranetrucks, high voltage repairs – installation – designand maintenance, datacom, complete design /build capabilities.

Licensed in PA, NJ & DECelebrating our 25th Year!

3525 Amber St, Phila, PA

215-535-5200

Are Customers Findingyour Website?continued from front page

navigate to your site or to a specific page.• Register with MAP at www.uiiphilly.org.Click on “Find a Manufacturer.” Companies useour database of Philadelphia manufacturers tofind suppliers or customers.

• Monitor and analyze site visitors. Usefree programs such as Awstats or Google

Analytics to view your site statistics and yoursearch engine ranking. Track valuableinformation like how many people arevisiting your site, where they are linkingfrom, what search terms they are using, andwhat pages they areclicking on.

Building a web presence is more than justhaving a running website. By using these SEOtechniques, it will help improve your website’sranking in search results and drive more po-tential customers to your site. Use these statsto drive your next marketing campaign!

2


By: Frank Garcia, Advent Design Corporation

The most difficult step in any lean sigma implementation

is sustaining the changes that were made.

Sustaining efforts in a lean environment are made

through periodic work-place kaizen events. Kaizen

is process of continuously improving through small

incremental steps, which added together can result

in significant

improvement. The results of 5S events (Sort,

Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain) are

typically sustained by posting before and after pictures of

the work area, work place checklists, area audits, and the

use of recognition and rewards. A more challenging issue is

how to sustain the improvements as a result of implementing

lean concepts such as work cells, kanban replenishment

systems, standardized work, and setup reduction.

The effective key to sustaining these improvements is the

effective use of performance metrics at three distinct levels

of the organization:1. manufacturing floor

2. supervisory management

3. senior management

We have worked in a number of companies that are

capable of developing performance data in many formats,

that want to graph and track every employee activity, and that

want to attach measurements to all manufacturing floor

activities. This can result in complex data that is difficult to

decipher or does not tell the real story. The guideline for

effective use of metrics is to Keep it Simple (KIS) and to

develop appropriate metrics at each of the three levels.

Manufacturing Floor - Keeping it simple on the

manufacturing floor means a minimum of three measure-

ments: Quality, Productivity, and Service. We prefer not to

have a lot of computer generated data and simply recommend

having the operators or technicians periodically (every hour,

half day, or shift) quantify and then plot their own

performance at or near their work stations. They may do this

as a team if working in a cell. Quality can simply be the

number of units passing a first pass quality test expressed as

a percentage of the total units produced. For example, 91

units out of 105 units produced equal an 86.6% quality level.

Productivity can be equally as simple using metrics such

as units produced per labor hour or employee. For example,

a work cell with three employees uses 24 hours of labor in a

shift and produces 300 good units. This equals 12.5 units

produced per labor hour or 100 units per person per shift. The

definition for service is product delivered when the customer

requires it. If the combined demand for the day is 500 units

and 475 actually shipped, the service level is 95%.

These are simple, straight forward, and easy to under-

stand performance metrics that can be used to

establish baseline per-formance on the shop

floor.

These metrics can be shared with other employees via

bulletin board or other visual methods. Positive results can

be used in employee recognition programs; to encourage

improvement though change; and to track, explain, and

justify continuous improvement activities on the floor.

Supervisory Management – At the supervisory manage-

ment level the number of metrics in-creases, and they are

directly related to the primary metrics monitored at the

manufactur-ing floor level. The sophistication of information

gathering increases and the use of informa-tion broadens at

this level. Quality measure-ments might include reasons for

a unit failing. i.e. defective parts, defective processing

equipment, poor work practices or a simple lack of execution.

Determining the root cause of defects is critical.Productivity

metrics might include the number of machines that can not

hold tolerance at a prescribed speed; downtime due to

production issues such as changeovers, absenteeism; and

number of cross trained operators. Service metrics at this

level include tracking the reasons for missing demand

commitments such as lack of parts (either internally or exter-

nally based) and defective parts. A control chart can be set

up to track the service level for the shift or department in total

or by product family. This will help keep the service level at

the desired percentage and show the effect of

improvements. Measurements at this level are company

specific and are easily viewed in histograms showing causes

of problems or graphs. These tools lend themselves to

continuous improvement activities.

Senior Management – This is the most difficult level to

tie metrics to the other two levels. At this level the

manufacturing metrics and the financial metrics are married

together to show the overall health of the company. Quality

information from the shop floor will be tied to an overallcontinued on page 6

The Keys to Continually Improving the Workplace

3


Mark Your Calendar for These Upcoming Events!

4


The City’s Economic Troubles

The ballooning budget deficit is

worsening. Last November, Mayor

Michael Nutter announced a $1 billion

shortfall over the next five years.

Drastic measures were taken then, and

it looks like another wave of measures

is necessary as the Mayor announced a

second $1 billion deficit in the five-year

budget, caused by dropping tax returns.

To bridge the first billion-dollar

gap, the City skimmed services, tax

cuts and contributions, including the

scheduled business privilege and wage

tax cuts, bulk trash and tire collection,

limited street cleaning and snow

removal and reduced funding for the

Community College of Philadelphia,

among others.

The Mayor’s Office will be evalu-

ating each and every department, with

necessary reductions reported at 10%-

30% of each department. Stay alert and

keep up-to-date with MAP – we’ll keep

you updated on the changes and how

they’ll affect your company.

New Bidding Preferencein Philadelphia?

Bill 090096 was introduced to City

Council this spring, which if passed

would create a new bidding preference

on City contracts either for bidders

offering environmentally preferable

products or services or for businesses

whose products, services and operations

demonstrate a high level of environ-

mental stewardship. This would give an

advantage to manufacturers with

sustainable or energy-efficient products

or practices, which could potentially

include manufacturers using recycled

materials, Energy Star equipment, or

making supporting products, such as trash

receptacles, bicycles or organic foods.

MAP Energy SeminarPrepares for Rate Changes

On February 11th, manufacturers

listened to the region’s energy providers

about changes in electricity rates,

energy distribution and upcoming

policy. With over 30 in attendance at the

Port Authority, the Energy Seminar

introduced companies to representatives

from PECO, Philadelphia Gas Works,

the Department of Environmental

Protection, the Environmental Manage-

ment Assistance Program, the Energy

Coordinating Agency and the Electrical

Alliance of Philadelphia.

A presentation by PECO’s Phil

Eastman summarized the upcoming rate

cap removal for electricity rates, and a

panel of state and non-profit energy-

conscious organizations explained

opportunities for company owners to

take advantage of to get energy

expenditures down; there are a number

of projects manufacturers can adopt to

mitigate energy usage or reduce

charges, such as installing insulation or

more efficient machinery, switching

providers, and upgrading heating and

cooling systems.

Union-oriented Legislationto be Heard in Congress

With the economy dominating

politician-led efforts, this bill may very

well get lost in the coverage. But the

Employee Free Choice Act should be

noted, as it could have a strong impact

on your company and its relations to

unionization. The EFCA has been

proposed to give unions new powers,

and stiffens penalties for company

owners who violate contact allowances

and attempt to dissuade employees

from unionizing. Other components of

this bill include binding arbitration and

the elimination of secret ballots, and if

passed would provide unions more

power over company owners.

Issues and Legislation

5


AESF - American Electroplaters & Surface Finishers Society – www.nasf.org

• Meets every other month on the third Tuesday at the Villari’s Milmarian Inn, 800 Route 73, Palmyra, NJ for a dinner

meeting. Call David Hensell, 609-298-5254, 908-794-8040 or email address [email protected].

ASQ - American Society for Quality, www.asqphilly.org

or www.southjerseyasq.org

CDMA – Commercial Development & Marketing Association,

www.cdmaonline.org

IIE – Institute of Industrial Engineers - www.iienet.org/southjer-

sey,

for reservations contact Tom Masapollo at [email protected].

NTMA - National Tooling & Machining Association,

www.pdvntma.org .

PAN-APICS - Philadelphia Area Network of The American Production

and Inventory Control Society,

www.pan-apics.org.

PDMA - Product Development & Management Association, www.pdma.org/philadelphia. No scheduled meetings.

PMA - Eastern Pennsylvania District of the Precision Metal forming Association, www.epennsylvania.pma.org.

• January - Plant Tour - Advanced Technology - Raising the Bar/Modern Manufacturing

• March - Manufacturing in today’s Market - Winning the Race in the Marketplace

• May - Tool & Die Technology - Sharing our best Manufacturing Practices.

SMEI - Sales & Marketing Executives International, www.smei.org

• Monthly breakfast seminars (7:30 - 9:30AM) at the Plymouth Country Club, 888 Plymouth Road,

Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462. Revised 12/5/2008 12:32 PM

Trade & Professional Association News

Senior Management – This is the most difficult level to

tie metrics to the other two levels. At this level the

manufacturing metrics and the financial metrics are married

together to show the overall health of the company. Quality

information from the shop floor will be tied to an overall

company wide Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ). Productivity at

the floor level can relate directly to Cost of Goods sold and

inventory levels (raw, WIP, and finished goods). The ability

to service customers ties to sales performance data and will

translate to repeat business and improved customer relation-

ships. Senior management must be able to correlate

manufacturing floor metrics to the financial statements and

be able to explain these to all levels of the organization. The

company executives are critical to the success of all

continuously improving organizations. They set the

direction of the company and respond to the company level

metrics by providing the correct resources, rewarding

excellent performance, or initiating corrective action to get

performance on track.

Continuously improving work places are constantly

changing environments. The success of the continuous

improvement efforts are rooted in understanding the baseline

per-formance, determining the necessary improvements,

implementing the improvement, and then measuring the new

baseline performance using metrics at the three levels.

Understanding the use of metrics at all levels of the

organization is one of the most critical success factors to

sustaining and improving the workplace.

The Keys to Continually Improving the Workplacecontinued from page 3

6


• Negotiated a rescheduling of Department of Agriculture inspections to prevent a production shutdown

saving the company in over $40,000 in lost production costs.

• Connected a MAP member with the City’s Traffic Police Division to allow them to close their street

to replace their roof, resulting in a much faster rehab of their building and several thousands of dollars

in savings.

• Connected 7 Manufacturers with the Philadelphia school districts to organize plant tours for students

to promote manufacturing careers.

• Found a reimbursement grant for a local manufacturer’s cost of 25 employees in leadership training.

• Assisted 2 companies receive energy audits of their buildings to identify ways to cut their energy costsand improve energy efficiency.

• Helped 3 companies resolve L & I disputes.

• Helped 2 companies receive over $30,000 each in job training grants.

• Found 3 general laborers and 2 machine technicians for 4 companies.

• Ehmke Manufacturing (Technical Fabric Products)

• KM Custom Pak (Contract Packaging Co.)

• J. P. Cerini Technologies (Metal Finishing and Coatings)

• Port Richmond Tool & Dye (Tool, Dye, Metal Fabrication, & Radiators)

• Stevenson-Cooper, Inc. (Waxes, Oils, and Grease Products)

• S. D. Richman & Sons, Inc. (Scrap Iron & Metals)

New MAP Members

7


1401 Arch Street, 6th Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19102

Manufacturing Alliance of Philadelphia has launched its redesigned Manufacturer Search! Use this resource to searchthrough over 1300 manufacturers throughout the City by product or description. It is a quick and simple resource to findlocal suppliers, competitors, and possible customers by registeringing online. Search for the product you are looking forat www.uiiphilly.org and click on the Find a Local Manufacturer button at the bottom of the page. Buy and Sell throughlocal Philadelphia Manufacturers!

Use TheResource:

www.uiiphilly.orgFind other Philly manufacturers, legislative news, bulletin board (used equipment, property, etc), gov’t. programs, certified vendors, help!...

ADVERTISE WITH US!

Bob is Bummed! He just had to lay-off his bestworker. But cheer up Bob! MAP found him a job

at the company down the street.

Kids Learn How It’s Made!

Third graders learn about the importance of manufacturingat a MAP sponsored tour. This is the future of our workforce.

Knowledge Before the Storm. Manufactures learn whatthey can do now to prepare for energy deregulation at MAP’senergy seminar.


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Transcript of INSIDE · • List your website on . This site uses volunteer editors to review sites instead of...