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Accurate Manufactured Products Group (AMPG) is a privately owned, closely held, family business that was started in 1987.  AMPG is a make to stock manufacturer of over 25,000 different specialty fastenings, industrial accessories, and engineered products. The company is responsible for maintaining inventory on all of the products we manufacture, and 95% of our business goes through the largest Industrial Distribution companies in the world. Success is measured in quality, availability, and service level.

Situation

AMPG identified numerous areas of improvement for their operation.  In determining how to move forward, the company determined outside assistance would be necessary to accomplish their goals.  The Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) was brought in to assist with several projects, including improving setup times; scheduling; quality; visually seeing all the items in WIP; and getting WIP items through more timely.

Solution

Purdue MEP worked with AMPG in several areas, initially tacking quick changeover.  The subsequent project was for AMPG to obtain an ISO 9001 certification. The company continues to work with Purdue with a scheduling tool, machine uptime, and inventory position.

Results

AMPG experienced immediate results from the quick changeover exercise.  The following results were due to procedural changes and not due to any monetary changes:

• Average set up time was 2 hours 15 minutes, now down to 40 minutes
• Tooling became more organized
• Modified what is included in Setup packs to include more tooling

In addition, AMPG started the process of obtaining ISO Certification in November and the company obtained certification the following July.

Testimonial

 “Purdue helped to organize, streamline, and monitor a complicated 24/7/365 manufacturing operation, where 25,000 items run across 27 different machine tools, with only 15 machinists.

This optimization allowed us to increase the number of items we manufacture without increasing manpower. Additional Swiss lathes were purchased without any increase in headcount. Sales are increasing with our new “Print to Part in 7 Days’ super quick custom manufacturing service, only possible because of our enhanced system.

We continue to partner with the Purdue MEP to maintain our advancements, and identify and address other opportunities.”

-Linda Thompson, VP Operations/Finance