Lean training and consulting provided by
move contributed
CONNSTEP, “Lex was encouraged, as a
to the remarkably
company holding a government contract,
short downtime
to participate in and receive funding for
experienced
efficiency initiatives,” Scala added.
by customers and vendors
And over the past six years, Lex has fully
explained Jim
integrated Lean methodologies into their
Lefflbine, Lex’s
strategic approach to business growth,
Manager of
“Lean creates velocity and there’s a
Continuous
rhythm to continuous improvement.
Improvement,
You’ve got to keep the beat; you can’t
“We
start and stop and expect it to work,”
communicated
Mike stated adding that the company has
our plans to
remained steady on an upward trajectory;
our clients and
sales increased four times over from 2005
our California
to 2010 and profits aligned accordingly,
facility helped by
tripling over the same period of time.
taking on extra
implement new lighting fixtures, increase
responsibilities, but all in all, we only
the use of natural light and recommend
With growth came the need for new
experienced a slight dip in on-time delivery
energy efficient equipment. Lex purchased
space - Lex quickly outgrew their existing
and were shut down only for a few days
flooring systems from Dur-A-Flex, an East
facility in Stamford, Connecticut. A new
over a weekend.”
Hartford based manufacturer of anti-
Jim Lefflbine discusses the value-added elements that make Lex Products stand out.
location providing adequate space for
slip and impact resistant floor covering,
new equipment and a cellular layout,
As part of the relocation to Shelton,
installing a safe flooring system in the
along with room for future expansion,
Lex made significant investments in
production area.
was needed. With operations in both
new equipment and technologies to aid
Connecticut and California, Lex wanted
production processes, reduce costs and
The 185 Lex Connecticut employees
to remain close to its key customers in
improve safety. New equipment in the
embraced their new community -
the entertainment and military markets.
plant allows manufacturing to go directly
purchasing homes in town, volunteering
After a comprehensive search, they chose
from engineered 3D CAD models to
as firemen and community service
Shelton, “When we were preparing to
automated production, positively affecting
volunteers, and participating in fund-
move to a larger facility, we considered
their defect-free rate and saving valuable
raising for the local children’s hospital.
options in several different states, but an
production time in the process.
important factor in our decision to stay in
While other companies are downsizing
Connecticut was the incentives offered for
Lex’s relocation also had a positive effect
workforce, consolidating space or leaving
Lean programming, including accessibility
on the local and state economy, the
altogether, Lex Products made a long-
to CONNSTEP,” Scala says.
local communities and other Connecticut
term commitment to the state with this
organizations. United Illuminating was
new facility, “We believe in Connecticut
brought in during the design phase to
manufacturing. It kills me that jobs are
The new facility couples 30,000 square feet of manufacturing space with 24,000 square feet of office space; with an additional 30,000 square feet available to Lex for future expansion. The design and layout of the facility is flexible to accommodate new products and customers’ future needs. The new Shelton location, officially christened in October of 2010, provides the infrastructure allowing Lex to provide the best service to its customers. A well-organized and executed
20
advantage summer 2011
“
We use Lean and continuous improvement to fully engage our staff, be responsive to our customers’ needs and remain competitive in a commoditized world.
“
Embracing New Surroundings
Mike Scala