Case Study:
Design Process Support
Client
$40M automotive moldmaker and automation supplier with operations in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Situation
Company’s profitability and design productivity were not meeting leaderships expectations for quality and timing of new launches.
HRI Role
Review the current tool design process to determine strengths and opportunities
Perform a Value Stream Mapping activity of the design process
Identified systemic issues in the design process and their impact on program management, finance and manufacturing impacting profitability and efficiency
Identified lead-time and productivity issues in tooling design related to delivering a complete, high quality design that meets or exceeds the internal and external customer expectations
Led a team of designers varying in experience to identifying opportunities and improve the design process
Led ownership and management their roles to ensure design results
Developed a team concept in design lead by experienced designers that improved design flow and productivity as well as decreased the design training time
Developed concurrent design concepts that allows for faster training as well as shorter design time
Results
Original goal of 50% reduction in design time has yet to be achieved
Currently going through trials to identify obstacles and opportunities
Current status is 25% reduction in design time for a semi-complex tool
