Institution news
MI Precision Engineering is part of IMI plc, a world leader in motion and fluid control technologies. They have a sales and service network in 50 countries, as well as manufacturing capability in the USA, Germany, China, UK, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Mexico, India and Brazil. It supports this with global centres of technical excellence, and facilities for CFD design and R&D testing.
In addition to the European headquarters, the Alpen site is the location of IMI’s European Distribution Centre (EDC) and one of its Technical Centres. It also houses a manufacturing facility where Norgren GmbH, a subsidiary of IMI Precision Engineering, produces a range of high performance pneumatic actuators. Norgren GmbH specialises in providing pneumatic and fluid control products such as actuators, air preparation products, pressure switches, fittings and valves that are tailored to improving the productivity and efficiency of customers’ equipment.
The visit was hosted by the Norgren site manager Torsten Norff and Germany Group member Andy Roper, who is IMI’s European Regional Director for Lean Manufacturing.
"The journey to World Class Manufacturing – Lean and Industry 4.0 at IMI Precision Engineering". Central to the corporate ethos of IMI is the process of driving the business forward through the ongoing implementation of Lean techniques at all stages of the manufacturing process.
A culture of continuous improvement was evident throughout the visit with the ever-present Muda board (see picture) bristling with yellow post-it notes at all key manufacturing locations, each yellow note signifying a suggestion for further improvement. Muda is a Japanese term meaning ‘waste’ – the elimination of muda (waste) is the primary focus of lean manufacturing. It could be seen that the lean culture has been embraced by the workforce at Norgren GmbH at all levels, not only because it is improving business performance but also because it is improving working conditions.
Following a very interesting tour of the plant, the Germany Group held its AGM, at which a new committee was elected. Further details on the outcome of the AGM are available via the Germany Group webpage at: https://nearyou.imeche.org/near-you/Europe/germany/contact-us