Disclaimer: There was no mention of Shiva at the Executive Briefing Conference hosted by Stiles Machinery at the end of February 2010.

As I assimilate all the potent nuggets of wisdom I gathered talking with industry leaders, innovators and visionaries at the 8th Executive Briefing Conference hosted by Stiles machinery, certain characteristics of good business keep recurring. Particularly in the context of “lean manufacturing” it is important to think in both the short term and long term.

In addition to being a student of the industry, communications technology and business in general, I am also a seeker of wisdom. This has led me down many interesting paths from quantum mechanics to neuro-physiology and meditation. So it is probably no surprise that I am a yoga student and instructor. I like the mind body connection, the idea of aligning action with intention and the fact that the same mechanical principles that guide physics and chemistry in the known universe hold true within the microcosm of the bodies. In an industry that encompasses many different fields of technology and engineering, the cross over into philosophical well-being may seem out of place; but lean manufacturing and nirvana are both expressions of simple and elegant solutions to life’s daily demands.

After two days of talking manufacturing with experts about the boons and pitfalls of processes, the iconic Shiva Nataraja from ancient Hindu mythology popped into my mind. He is depicted as doing the tandava, the dance in which the universe is created, maintained and destroyed. And to be an effective master over production, a person must have a strategy that integrates these functions.

Creation

The holy grail of a “lean production” line is the result of careful planning. An objective third party can be very useful for identifying the easy-to-overlook details that make or break a manufacturing line. From the complexity of the latest software to the simple things, such as ensuring there is adequate floor space for staging materials, expert advice is priceless. Although most equipment dealers offer training and consulting, it is often disregarded as a scam to sell more machinery. Reputable machinery companies are more interested in satisfied clients and repeat business than unloading inappropriate equipment and options on unsuspecting customers. But this requires a dialogue that starts with the manufacturer setting aside his ego and sharing his vision with the equipment dealers. I heard lots of stories about people buying equipment at rock bottom prices at auction only to turn around and call a dealer anyway to find out what the machine is and what it does!

Maintenance

Shioleno’s new TFM pressing line is a shining example of well-planned and well-executed production (which will be covered in more detail in an upcoming feature). Entering the facility, a visitor is first struck by how clean it is. This is because of the Shioleno brothers’ proactive approach to maintenance. Not only is one hour out of every shift dedicated to cleaning and maintenance, but the company also keeps replacements of all the key parts of their machinery on premises. Certainly there is an expense associated with this type of preparation, but imagine the cost of production being halted for weeks while waiting for a part to come in. Proactive maintenance controls potential damage; if the maintenance is reactive, the damage is already out of control.

Destruction

Tempting as it may be to replace one machine with a newer, faster version it is not always the best thing for work flow. When it is time to update one piece, it is also necessary to assess all the other pieces in a production line. Updating one function out of context of the adjacent processes can lead to debilitating bottlenecks and wasteful redundancy. When strategic planning indicates that it is time for a technology update, it is an invitation to clean house. Sometimes that means getting rid of things that no longer serve in order to make room for what is optimally functional. This can be a tough thing to do, particularly after investing significant time and money into a line. However in a technology-based industry that is driven by variable consumer preferences and open to a global market, the worst threat is to become obsolete.

Conceal and Reveal

Shiva is also credited with the capacity to conceal and reveal insight and awareness. This is relevant to any discipline, process or market in the simple terms of education. To be sustainably successful it is crucial to know what is happening in the market, in technology and with your competition. A person can choose to disregard that knowledge, however, an educated decision not to integrate information is very different than ignorance.

The EBC was also a transformative event for Surface & Panel. Beyond the opportunity to exchange ideas with some of the best and brightest of the industry, it was also a reminder that there is always potential for improvement. Publishing, communications and marketing has undergone a rapid and profound shift in recent years. At S&P we have spent the last 18 months investing heavily in education and technology so we can continue to meet the changing communication needs of the industry. But with knowledge and strategic planning, including discontinuing operations that no longer service market needs, challenges become opportunities for growth.

Shiva Nataraja, the Lord of the Dance. Tamil Nadu, ca. 990, bronze. Freer Gallery, Washington DC |Source=self-made |Date=14 June 2007