Founded in 2002, the AMC group of companies is dedicated to the manufacture and installation of high-quality millwork and cabinetry. Their product lines include custom millwork in popular profiles or custom designed. The company has extensive experience in solid wood cabinets, veneer cabinets, and countertops, including all aspects of architectural millwork.
MRC-led Value Stream Mapping program helps AMC develop comprehensive, improved future state processes
“Working with MRC provided immediate efficiency improvements and savings.”
Stephanie Sfarra, Business Administrator
In order to streamline order processing, optimize on-time delivery, and enhance quality, Emmaus, Pennsylvania-based American Millwork and Cabinetry, Inc. (AMC) turned to MRC for Process Mapping support.
Solution
In advance of the three-month engagement—spearheaded by owner George Reitz, his leadership team, and staff members established a project charter. This defined the business case, outlined measurable project objectives, deliverables, assumptions, and constraints, and assigned project resources, stakeholders, and sponsors. Together, the team would define a future state to enable necessary improvements.
As a foundational effort, the team developed a comprehensive set of current process maps, including a detailed look at each department involved: Client Sales; Estimating; Project Management; Engineering; Production; Packaging; Shipping and Delivery; Purchasing; Accounting; Scheduling; Installation; Facilities and Maintenance, and IT.
Next, non-value-added process steps were eliminated as AMC moved toward establishing an improved future state. Each department identified inconsistencies, and several of these were mitigated or resolved by the project team. Evolving future state process maps were shared periodically with the entire participating staff for their reviews, feedback, and corrections, and to document current- and future process conditions. The team also established a 19-step subprocess in the estimating department to create uniformity among all estimators. Each department ultimately reviewed its processes from internal customer/supplier relationship perspectives, and the final, composite process map was printed for distribution within the company.
“This project improved communication among employees and with potential customers and contractors while enabling more effective new-hire training,” Says AMC President, George Reitz. “We anticipate regular reviews of all department processes, with updates as needed to improve future maintenance improvements and staffing needs moving forward.”
Results
• Over 37 issues were identified, and more than 50% of those were resolved during the three-month project;
• Resolving these issues provided immediate efficiency improvement and potential savings;
• The remaining issues (some of which will require long-term effort and expense) will be addressed in the future.
To learn more about American Cabinetry & Millwork, Inc., visit their website at https://www.amcmillwork.com/