Lean and Six Sigma are important in the RV and trailer business. We’ll look at several applications, first for RVs and hauling trailers and second for truck trailers and finish with a video of how truck trailers are made in France, Turkey, and Texas.
RVs and Hauling Trailers
Lean Manufacturing and the RV Business
In an article titled “What Lean manufacturing means in RV business” author Marilyn Odendahl discusses how Gulf Stream Coach began applying Lean Manufacturing to building motorcoaches and towable units and what it meant to the RV Industry.
You can read the article here.
Six Sigma Analysis Used to Identify Key Issues for Process Improvement
In a short article titled “Maximize growth by reducing waste and costs” author Rich Rovito discusses how Six Sigma analysis pinpointed key issues to improve processes for Triton Trailers a major manufacturer of hauling trailers.
A Lean Six Sigma project initially focused on the generator-hauling side of Triton’s trailer business before being applied to its watercraft trailer production.
You can read the article here.
Lean Transformation at Aluminum Trailer Company (ATC)
In an article titled “Lean Transformation Saves Aluminum Trailer Co.” author Michele Nash-Hoff discusses how Lean greatly improved processes.
Steve Brenneman, president, outlined the results.
"After seven years of hard work, we have:
- Improved flow - went to one building from two
- Cleaned up the mess
- Did 5S for maintenance department
- Established a supermarket/material supply system
- Use a materials/kanban to all lines
- Changed to value stream management since 2012
You can read the article here.
Truck Trailers
Lean Process Improvement for Truck Trailer Body Production
In a Master’s thesis titled “Process Improvement by Lean Thinking in Trucking Industry” author Abhiram Reddy Ramasahayam discusses the implementation of Lean at Delta-Waseca a medium size automotive (OEM) company located in south central Minnesota that produces truck trailer bodies from 18 feet to 30 feet long.
Once the elements of Lean have been introduced, the author discusses the actual Lean implementation.
Results are listed separately for Sides, Roof, Floors, and Doors processes.
You can read the thesis here.
Lean Application at Wabash National
In an article titled “Wabash National's Lean Turnaround Experience” author Dan Kiehl discusses Wabash National (major truck trailer manufacturer) and its Lean journey.
Wabash started their Lean transformation by focusing on
five key areas:
- Safety
- Quality
- On-time Delivery
- Productivity
- Cost Reduction
You access the article here.
Truck Trailer Manufacture
In a video from Gear HD, see how truck trailers are made in France, Turkey, and Texas.
You can watch the video here.
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