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eTrends Newsletter
<br />past summer, they held a breakfast for members and area legislators to
<br />discuss public policy issues, and they plan to bring members to the State
<br />Capitol in early 2009 to share with local legislators the value of
<br />manufacturing to their region and the state as a whole.
<br />Larson said that one of the greatest resources that CMMA can provide is
<br />connecting members with the resources to solve problems or find new
<br />ideas. "Our biggest resource is connecting people with others that might
<br />know an answer or have a solution."
<br />For more information about CMMA membership, contact Harry Larson
<br />(harry.larson@enterpriseminnesota.org).
<br />interscapes Inc. Renews their Lean Journey
<br />lnter~ ~ ~?~.rs Ine_, is renewing
<br />its quest to eliminate
<br />unnecessary activity and
<br />improve workflow inside the
<br />company. After completing a
<br />Business Process Review at
<br />the end of 2007, the
<br />company is currently on pace
<br />to grow by 30 percent in
<br />2008 -while facing a market
<br />that is down 20 percent.
<br />Employing 35 people, and
<br />located in the heart of
<br />Minneapolis, Interscapes is
<br />an architectural woodworking
<br />firm that serves general
<br />contractors throughout the
<br />United States. They produce reception desks, wood cabinetry, and
<br />custom design woodwork primarily for commercial and office use.
<br />In 2003, they entered their lean journey and, as a result, Interscapes grew
<br />nearly 20 percent annually for more than four years. However, they lost
<br />focus on lean initiatives and eventually their annual growth dropped to five
<br />percent. Interscapes saw a need to assess their current situation and plan
<br />for a successful future. With the help of Enterprise Minnesota, they
<br />decided that a Business Process Review was the best place to start.
<br />A Business Process Review is a first step in taking a strategic approach to
<br />help improve a business. Using this nationally recognized assessment
<br />tool, a business is able to measure performance against globally
<br />competitive criteria.
<br />"For most companies, there is no shortage of opportunities to improve,
<br />just a shortage of time and resources," said Enterprise Minnesota
<br />specialist Mary Connor, who worked with Interscapes Inc. on the project.
<br />"A Business Process Review helps identify and prioritize improvements."
<br />Ron Lyrek, president of Interscapes, and his employees began the
<br />Business Process Review by completing survey evaluations of their
<br />organization. Interscapes employees and leadership analyzed operations
<br />from an internal perspective -being fair to judge strengths and limitations.
<br />After providing their information, Interscapes hosted Enterprise Minnesota
<br />specialists for an on-site evaluation of their operations.
<br />Enterprise Minnesota's goal was to provide an outside, impartial
<br />perspective in the Business Process Review. They reviewed six key
<br />categories including management, marketing, operations, quality, health
<br />and safety, and technology. Enterprise Minnesota brought together all of
<br />the survey results and on-site analysis in the final Business Process
<br />Review report.
<br />Page 2 of 3
<br />Minneapolis as a Minnesota Green Star
<br />Facility, making it the state's first injection
<br />molder to receive the award. MPCA awards
<br />Green Star facilities following an audit by the
<br />agency that acknowledges compliance with all
<br />applicable environmental requirements.
<br />• Baldridge Award Reviewers Wanted: Each
<br />year the Baldrige Program recruits experts
<br />from business, education organizations,
<br />health care providers, nonprofits and other
<br />groups to serve on the Board of Examiners for
<br />the Ma_Icolm Baldrige National Q_u~iity Award.
<br />The application form for the 2009 Board of
<br />Examiners will be ava..la.ble_on.Li.n.e. starting
<br />Nov. 5, 2008. Applications must be submitted
<br />electronically; the deadline is 2 p.m. Eastern
<br />time on Jan. 6, 2009.
<br />• State__Economy: Minnesota's
<br />unemployment rate dropped 0.3 percent to a
<br />seasonally adjusted 5.9 percent in
<br />September, according to figures released by
<br />the Minnesota D_epartmeni of EmpEoymel~t
<br />and EccanomicD. evelopment. Minnesota
<br />employers cut 2,300 jobs in September,
<br />reflecting a continued national economic
<br />slowdown. Over the past 12 months,
<br />employment in Minnesota has declined 0.7
<br />percent, while the nation has declined 0.4
<br />percent.
<br />• Deadline Approaching: The IDEA
<br />Competition deadline, November 15, 2008 is
<br />fast approaching. Up to ten thousand dollars
<br />cash will be awarded to five breakthrough
<br />ideas to help launch a business. IDEA (which
<br />stands far Ingenuity Drives Entrepreneur
<br />Acceleration) is a project of Ingenuity Frontier,
<br />a collaboration of partners joined by a
<br />common purpose - to grow the economy of
<br />Northwest Minnesota by outfitting the next
<br />generation of homegrown innovators for
<br />success in the global marketplace. For more
<br />information, open the attached flyer or visit
<br />www.ideacompetition.org.
<br />Upcoming Events:
<br />Creating Profit Through a Lean Journey
<br />Wednesday, November 19, 2008
<br />Open Systems, Inc. Shakopee
<br />Implementing Lean in your workplace isn't just
<br />a one-and-done project. Truly successful
<br />companies travel the Lean Journey -
<br />implementing Lean long-term, and throughout
<br />the entire company. More than just creating
<br />greater efficiency, it is creating profit through a
<br />Lean Journey. Hear how a panel of experts
<br />has found success by embracing change,
<br />seeking out new opportunities, empowering
<br />their employees, and continually looking for
<br />new ways to improve their processes and
<br />systems. Speakers include:
<br />• Rob Tracy, president & CEO, Intek Plastics
<br />• Sam Wagner, director of advanced
<br />manufacturing, Donnelly Custom
<br />Manufacturing
<br />• Dave Krueger, vice president of sales &
<br />marketing, Quality Tool
<br />• Dave Goodwin, CEO, Reviva
<br />11/5/2008
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