Situation

Supply constraints and an inefficient process for ordering and receiving teal hardwood was preventing one mill from full adoption of the new material. They knew a coordinated group of employees could solve the problem, so they turned to Rapid Action to make it work.

Team Engagement Strategy

A team of frontline mill employees from all departments, was engaged to brainstorm ideas for solving this problem and used Rapid Action, a team-based problem solving process, to stick to a schedule and get results in 60-days.

Rapid Action Project Charter

How can we establish a consistent and coordinated supply of teal within current process restraints in order to improve the safety of pulp handling, reduce the overall pulp cost and balance supply and demand of WRFE Teal?

Sample Solutions Implemented

1. Determined how to best use the pulpers and the limitations of pumps/water dilution.
2. Installed a small conveyor to feed pulper #1 to eliminate manual steps.
3. Determined lifting capacity and corrected labeling of fork trucks to improve organization.
4. Created a value campaign to get entire mill behind increased teal usage.