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Home 2009 Call For Speakers Program General Sessions Continuous Improvement 101 Adv. Continuous Improvement Leadership Measurement Process Manufacturing Best Plants Winners Interviews 2008 Plant Tours 2008 Networking 2008 Sponsors 2008 Exhibitors Advisory Board Contact Us
2007 Highlights 2006 Highlights 2005 Highlights About IW Best Plants 2008 Nominations Open 
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Registration included a tour of one of the Milwaukee-area's best manufacturers, providing the opportunity to witness operational best practices first-hand. Plants toured were:
 John Deere is known for being a
progressive manufacturer with world-class practices. It's Horicon Works
facility has won many awards for their continuous improvement efforts including
the Deere Product Quality System Bronze Certification in 2007, the Deere
Production System Gold Certification in 2005 and 2007, the Deere Production
System Silver Certification in 2004 and 2006, and the Wisconsin Forward Award
in 1999. Employing 1,150 associates, the 1.2 million square-foot facility
produces Premium Riding Lawn Equipment (EZtrak, X300, X500, X700), Utility
Vehicles (CX, Military, HPX, XUV), Attachments (Snow Blades, Snow Throwers,
Tillers), Greens Mowers, Stampings and Service Parts.
Miller Brewing Co. – Milwaukee Brewery Miller Brewing Co.'s Milwaukee brewery is the company's oldest with many buildings dating back to the 19th century. It is one of Miller's six major breweries across the country consisting of 76 buildings on 82 acres. 8.8 million barrels (272.8 million gallons) of beer are produced annually by approximately 750 employees (including salaried). The Milwaukee brewery's shipping region consists of 10 states and 120 beer distributors. Quad Graphics Inc. Headquartered in Sussex, Wis., Quad/Graphics is the world's largest privately held printer of magazines, catalogs and other commercial products, and the third-largest printer -- public or private -- in the Western Hemisphere. Quad/Graphics is the quintessential American business success story. By doing things differently and better over the past 35-plus years, they've grown from humble beginnings in rural Pewaukee, Wis., into the largest privately held printer in the world today with 12,000 employees and $2 billion in annual sales. Signicast Corporation Signicast Corporation is the world's largest provider of commercial investment castings that are utilized on everyday items for customers such as Harley Davidson, Mercury Marine, Caterpillar, John Deere, Stanley Tools, Frito-Lay, and Snap-On Tools just to name a few. In 1993 based on the principles of continuous flow and lean manufacturing, Signicast built the first of its kind technologically advanced investment casting facility. In just 15 years Signicast built 4 additional facilities and grew from a $20 million operation to over $135 million today. Signicast was recently honored with by the Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Awards with the 2007 Manufacturing Process Innovation award. The award recognizes Signicast's dedication to investment in automation and technology to affordable components at a competitive price at the industry's shortest lead time. 
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's 448,750-square-foot facility began operations in April 2003, taking over production duties from the Journal pressroom located at 333 W. State St. The facility, which once housed a defunct factory, was transformed into a modern printing plant with the installation of more efficient building systems and printing technologies. Tour participants will get a behind the scenes look into the production facility where three printing presses stand five stories tall on the production floor. Collectively, the presses weigh more than 4 million pounds and are capable of churning out 85,000 copies of a 64-page newspaper in an hour. But to operate at high speed, humidity and temperature must remain constant. Building systems work together to keep the production equipment performing at optimum levels. 
Regal Ware, Inc.Regal Ware is a closely-held private company, and has been manufacturing continually in southeastern Wisconsin since its founding in 1945. Today Regal Ware employs roughly 500 people in its half-million square foot manufacturing facility in West Bend, and its corporate office building located in Kewaskum, Wisconsin. Regal Ware is the premier U.S. manufacturer of high-quality stainless steel cookware for the Direct Sales Market. In addition, the company manufacturers commercial-grade coffee urns and in-home drinking water purification systems. Regal Ware recently re-entered the high-end retail cookware market following a 5-year hiatus in this arena. Regal Ware products can be found throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, Asia, Australia and Europe. 
Gardner Denver, Inc – Thomas Products Division, Sheboygan
The largest plant within Thomas Products Division, Sheboygan employs more than 400 people. Originally opened in 1975 and expanded in 1994, this highly integrated manufacturing operation has been continually modernized and now produces both Thomas's WOB-L® Piston and larger size diaphragm compressors and vacuum pumps -- among the company's major OEM product offerings. The Lean Enterprise culture includes Kanbans, Six Sigma, Visual Display Management, and Value Stream Mapping. These tools along with advanced manufacturing techniques are evident throughout the plant. "Continuous improvement is an on-going process that is integrated into our culture." says Jim Kregel, Vice President of Thomas Products Division. |
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