JAFFREY, NH, March 11, 2009 – Managing Automation Media announced that Graphicast, Inc., a Jaffrey based manufacturer of precision castings, has been named to its Progressive Manufacturing 100 list for 2009. The PM100 recognizes 100 projects that have achieved distinction in at least one of eight core disciplines defined as critical to business success in the years ahead. These disciplines are: Business Model Mastery, Customer Mastery, Supply Mastery, Data & Integration Mastery, Innovation Mastery, Training & Education Mastery, Leadership and Operational Excellence.
Graphicast joins companies such as Alcoa, Caterpillar, Pratt and Whitney, and Pfizer in achieving PM100 status in 2009. Graphicast’s project involved utilizing a concept known as Theory of Constraints to revamp its production scheduling. Theory of Constraints focuses on identify and eliminating bottlenecks in production. By employing Theory of Constraints scheduling software, Graphicast was able to greatly simplify the scheduling process, reduce lead times by 75%, increase plant capacity, reduce inventory, and eliminate overtime. These changes allowed Graphicast to move to a four day work week, giving Graphicast’s employees three day weekends every week. An added benefit of going to a four day week was a reduction in electricity usage.
Graphicast’s success in reducing manufacturing costs and improving customer responsiveness have been key factors in Graphicast remaining competitive in the global market.