In the spring of 2001, Walter Industries adopted the Six Sigma approach to cost cutting and production improvement. Very briefly, the system uses strict data gathering and analysis techniques to get to the root cause of production problems and/or to identify cost savings opportunities. Once a cost saving opportunity is identified, the work to change the way we do things and achieve the cost saving becomes known as a “Project”.

The 6 Sigma Group consists of 4 full time people (Black Belts) and a number of part-timers (Green Belts). Obviously, we try to pick projects with the most bang for the buck. A project that saves $30,000 a year and cost $5000 to implement is clearly more valuable than one that saves less and costs more. We refer to those high return, low cost projects as “Low Hanging Fruit.”

We want the help of you, all JWR employees, to help us find more low hanging fruit. What might these be? Here are some examples:

• A new technique whereby production interruptions are reduced.
• An expensive part that seems to go bad far too often.
• A waste of supplies that could be minimized with a modest investment.

Let me emphasize, anything that is legal, reasonable, and of course safe, is fair game.
Also, keep in mind that the suggestion needs to be fairly specific. Something like, reduce longwall supply costs is obvious and not specific. However, reduce longwall supply costs by doing this and that, may be specific enough to get a good project started.

Simply type in your idea in the text box below, and click “submit." Try to give as much detail as possible. It would be best if you include you name and work site (if the idea is viable as a project we would probably want further input from you, making you part of the project team.) However, you need not identify yourself if you don’t care to.

Thanks in Advance,
Ed Grygiel
Six Sigma Engineering