Rhetech Company
Profile - Value Stream Mapping / Kaizen Event
 Rhetech
is a reconditioner, modifier, and restorer of semitool equipment
that is used in the cleaning and plating of wafers for the
semiconductor industry. The company, founded in 1993, employs
about 50 people in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania. The company’s
website is www.rhetechinc.com.
Situation
The company needs to maintain quality and keep costs competitive
due to the target market it serves, the semiconductor
industry. Rhetech asked MRC to conduct Lean training
to every employee and to start the process by conducting
a Value Stream Mapping (VSM) of their SRD (Spin, Rinse,
and Dryer) production area to identify wastes and possible
production improvements and utilize a Kaizen Event to
document the potential savings.
Solution
MRC utilized the results of the VSM in the SRD production area. A day was spent
reviewing the previous value stream to identify opportunities for improvements
in a future state. The Kaizen Event identified possible waste elimination and
productivity improvements, which resulted in a significant reduction in cycle
time per unit in the SRD production area.
Results
Cycle time for manufacturing a SRD was reduced approximately
5 hours per unit, about a 13% reduction in production
time per unit, and a total cost savings of $225 per unit.
The company is continuing to implement a Lean6® Transformation
with MRC for their entire facility to multiply the results
shown in the SRD area. Throughput was improved, so customer
orders can be fulfilled more quickly.
 Testimonial
"We have relied on the MRC over the past several years
to help implement Lean Manufacturing in our facility. We
are
able to schedule and implement the lean training, process
changes, and productivity improvements quickly. We continue
to rely on the MRC to help transform our company to improve
our operation for long-term growth and profitability."
Don
Smullen, Director of Operations
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