Case Study: CGW

CGW Improves Production Lead Time by 54% and Achieves a Continuous Improvement Culture.

CGW (Camel Grinding Wheels) manufactures a wide range of bonded and coated abrasive products. Established in 1956, the company is one of the pioneers of Israeli industry and is recognized and respected throughout the world today. CGW products are a popular choice in the metal, construction, railway, gas, turbine, aerospace, and other industries.

Camel Grinding Wheels partnered with AMCG to implement Lean Operations principles in order to transform their traditional organizational culture to one that thrives on Continuous Improvement. Additionally they wanted to improve revenues and profitability by improving operational performance in lead times, productivity and product quality.

Working in partnership with CGW, AMCG initiated the project by performing an operational assessment to determine the best operational strategy to achieve the company's goals. During the assessment phase AMCG performed a Lean audit and gap analysis, developed an Operations Excellence implementation program and set the improvement measurement goals.

The implementation phase included the introduction of appropriate Lean tools such as 5S, Visual Management, Poka Yoke and SMED. Other key elements of the program included KANBAN system implementation, waste elimination, and development and management of operational metrics. The results are significant:

• • 54% reduction of lead-time
• • 30% productivity improvement
• • 25% reduction in scrap related cost.

More importantly, CGW achieved a sustainable cultural transformation that resulted in Continuous Improvement in these and other measurements.