US coin-op amusement manufacturer Benchmark Games has announced a new factory layout as part of its plan to reduce lead times to just four weeks.
Benchmark has implemented a number of new manufacturing programmes which include some lean manufacturing techniques, meaning orders can now be filled in less than four weeks, with some of its most popular games in stock and ready for shipment.
Lean manufacturing eliminates steps that do not add value. According to Benchmark, this process improves operations with an emphasis on reducing wasteful activities such as waiting, transportation, materials hand-offs, inventory and over production. One specific example of Benchmark’s implementation is an Andon lighting system. The tri-coloured lighting system reduces manufacturing downtime by alerting support personnel of immediate problems on the line. Missing or additional materials can then be brought to the workers increasing their efficiency.
