Monday, September 22, 2008

State grants InteliCoat $380K to go lean

By Mass High Tech Staff

InteliCoat Technologies reports it has landed a $380,000 grant from the state of Massachusetts to implementlean manufacturing practices. The grant will be used to fund changes to eliminate waste, increase productivity and reduce costs, InteliCoat said.

Specifically, the grant will fund operational capability, knowledge flow, operational excellence and sustainability, the company said. Operational capability training is intended to improve basic capability and enable small-batch production. Knowledge flow training is intended to improve flow processes, exploit operational agility and link operations more closely with customer demand. Operational excellence is intended to link capabilities and knowledge to outside chain suppliers for a more responsive chain. Sustainability training is intended to use the other processes to maintain a high levelof productivity and provide a competitive edge.

South Hadley-based InteliCoat, which makes coated paper, film and specialty substrates for digital imaging applications, began implementing lean practices in October 2007. The company says the procedures have helped it accelerate time-to-market for new products, increase customer service levels. The company has already begun training on waste awareness and elimination, and “5S” training (simplify, straighten, scrub, stabilize, self disicpline).

In July, iRobot Corp. landed a $240,000 workforce training grant from the Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development. The robot maker plans to use the  grant to train 130 iRobot employees in lean management practices.