CLIENT COMMENTS
VIDEO INTERVIEWS | GEORGE DOTSON - ROGER ALLMAND - ROGER GOFF
See extensive video interviews with several clients.
GEORGE DOTSON | PAST PRESIDENT, H&P INTERNATIONAL DRILLING CO.
"I was visiting with Alan last evening, and he said, "I had a good conversation with Barry about...." Then we spoke about our great satisfaction with the work by you and your group. The total project would not be where it is without your leadership and your group's energy and staying on task. I think every consultant faces many unknowns as he takes on a new assignment - expectations, personalities, customer culture, etc. While we must have presented the usual challenges, you have focused on what was best for the project and avoided the politics of H&P issues.
From the beginning, I did not believe we had the energy or culture that could withstand a major shock over manufacturing. If we could get manufacturing leadership, training and learning, we might change our ship's course a few degrees at a time. Alan and I think we are making good progress, and again I credit much of it to your willingness to align your work with us. Hiring your services was a major success for us. I didn't want to go further without letting you know that we talk about you, and it is all positive. Thanks for your personal efforts and those of your team."
"Helmerich & Payne IDC was accustomed to building rigs but not manufacturing rigs. We needed a better way to approach manufacturing 25 each $10M oil and gas drilling rigs at our Houston facility at the rate of two per month. SixthSenze™ personnel knew how to get it done, worked with us to implement the Lean Manufacturing approaches, and stayed with us to achieve our production goals. We doubled our production rate, in the same manufacturing floor space, and with fewer personnel."
TOM KICE | PRESIDENT, KICE INDUSTRIES, INC.
“We have used consultants before and have never been pleased with the results. SixthSenze™’ professionals were different. They worked with our team to conduct a complete Business Assessment in three weeks that really opened our eyes to improvement opportunities. The work was focused, used a straight-forward methodology, and quantified the negative impact of some of our business processes. As a result, within six weeks we made changes to our Order Process flow that reduced the number of process steps by 57% and the cycle time by 66%. And, the changes were made without capital investment or the addition of personnel.
In a plant-related effort, we are considering relocating and building additional space. The SixthSenze™ team showed how we could improve the layout we had envisioned and reduce the size of the building we planned to build by 20%. That’s quite a savings in capital investment, and our internal team agrees with the smaller building requirements.
The SixthSenze™ team was first class. They worked well with our people, and educated them about why Lean Manufacturing strategies made sense for our business. Without the SixthSenze™ facilitation, ideas, and leadership we would not have made the Office Process changes nearly as soon, if at all, and would have foregone the ensuing benefits to Kice Industries and our customers. The Plant Layout/Consolidation effort is still ahead of us, but we anticipate using SixthSenze™ when we renew that effort.”
In a plant-related effort, we are considering relocating and building additional space. The SixthSenze™ team showed how we could improve the layout we had envisioned and reduce the size of the building we planned to build by 20%. That’s quite a savings in capital investment, and our internal team agrees with the smaller building requirements.
The SixthSenze™ team was first class. They worked well with our people, and educated them about why Lean Manufacturing strategies made sense for our business. Without the SixthSenze™ facilitation, ideas, and leadership we would not have made the Office Process changes nearly as soon, if at all, and would have foregone the ensuing benefits to Kice Industries and our customers. The Plant Layout/Consolidation effort is still ahead of us, but we anticipate using SixthSenze™ when we renew that effort.”
LYNN NICHOLS | PRESIDENT, YINGLING AVIATION
"As more and more emphasis is placed on the aviation industry to ensure safe and reliable travel it obligates companies like ours to have resident best practices and quality assurance programs to either meet or exceed these demands. We hired SixthSenze™ to architect a new strategic quality control manual to satisfy our customers requirements. Their rapid response to this request was delivered on-time with experience and a commitment to excel. This worthy alliance with SixthSenze™ not only resulted in new business, but affirmed we will not need to look elsewhere when a need rises again."
PAUL ROGERS | PRIOR HEAD OF MKTG & SALES, THE CHARLES MACHINE WORKS, INC.
"I have been a part of the Ditch Witch® marketing organization for 25 years. I can personally attest to the positive changes made under the direction of Barry Blades. I consider Barry Blades' efforts and skills to be one of the key contributing factors that has allowed Ditch Witch® to achieve the level of growth and market dominance that they have."
ALAN ORR | SR. V.P., H&P INTERNATIONAL DRILLING CO.
"STI’s Vidor, Texas fabrication facility is the most productive oil field fabrication facility I’ve ever seen.”
Comment made during status report meeting six weeks after SixthSenze™ become involved with STI to implement Lean Manufacturing techniques.
Comment made during status report meeting six weeks after SixthSenze™ become involved with STI to implement Lean Manufacturing techniques.
JIMMY WILSON | SOUTHEAST TEXAS INDUSTRIES SUPT.
"When I first came into the Assembly Facility, I stood back and watched everything that was going on. I really wasn’t sure whether this lean stuff was needed or not, but I can see now, this does work. If people will give Lean a chance it will definitely work. My job has changed since I arrived here, I am no longer a fire fighter, I can actually manage the shop like I am supposed to."
ROGER ALLMAND | CEO, ALLMAND BROS. INC.
"Lean Manufacturing is the most exciting thing I've seen in my business career."
PAUL F. MARTIN | INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT
"I personally have experienced the Lean Manufacturing process change at two manufacturing facilities. The results were astonishing at both facilities. In both companies the initial ROI was realized within a quarter and ongoing improvements continued to contribute to significantly greater margins.
There is not enough space in a letter format to express the success and achievement of the manufacturing company as a result of the efforts of the SixthSenze™ organization. I will however state that the individuals that comprise this group are some of the most talented, professional practitioners I have ever encountered. They are direct, efficient and driven by achievement.
I have been a senior manager at a Fortune 50 corporation for almost 20 years and have worked with many firms that were much more expensive, but never better. I highly recommend them to you."
There is not enough space in a letter format to express the success and achievement of the manufacturing company as a result of the efforts of the SixthSenze™ organization. I will however state that the individuals that comprise this group are some of the most talented, professional practitioners I have ever encountered. They are direct, efficient and driven by achievement.
I have been a senior manager at a Fortune 50 corporation for almost 20 years and have worked with many firms that were much more expensive, but never better. I highly recommend them to you."
JIM BARNES | PRESIDENT, HARLOW AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURING
"SixthSenze™ performed the project on time and in budget, even with a tight deadline. They did everything they said they would do and everything we wanted them to do. No surprises. Period."
JEFF RICHMOND | PRESIDENT, ROADTEC, INC.
"The SixthSenze™ Team truly brought a company-wide view of Lean Enterprise to Roadtec. Beginning with the asphalt paver cell, they worked not only with our employees to bring Lean practices to the shop floor, they developed a process to validate Bill of Material accuracy, identified needed information systems enhancements, and pushed for skills enhancement for our production control/purchasing department.
The results were remarkable, allowing us to increase our production 33% within 90 days, with an improved quality of work life for our personnel and improved margin. This season, we have further increased production another 30%, all with no additional floor space and only minimal additional personnel. Across the board, we have witnessed lower stress levels and a more proactive attitude in our manufacturing management team since we started our LEAN journey.
The benefits of Lean Enterprise approaches have spread not only into other production lines, but into the office as well. We are now seeking to embrace the ideas of short cycle times and focus on Value Added activities in Customer Service and Parts Support, Production Control, and Sales.
The SixthSenze™ Team worked well with our personnel. They knew when to challenge our thinking and push for change, and when to lead us to new ways of thinking. Roadtec leadership has recommended SixthSenze™ to other member companies of the Astec Industries family, and would not hesitate to use them again."
The results were remarkable, allowing us to increase our production 33% within 90 days, with an improved quality of work life for our personnel and improved margin. This season, we have further increased production another 30%, all with no additional floor space and only minimal additional personnel. Across the board, we have witnessed lower stress levels and a more proactive attitude in our manufacturing management team since we started our LEAN journey.
The benefits of Lean Enterprise approaches have spread not only into other production lines, but into the office as well. We are now seeking to embrace the ideas of short cycle times and focus on Value Added activities in Customer Service and Parts Support, Production Control, and Sales.
The SixthSenze™ Team worked well with our personnel. They knew when to challenge our thinking and push for change, and when to lead us to new ways of thinking. Roadtec leadership has recommended SixthSenze™ to other member companies of the Astec Industries family, and would not hesitate to use them again."
STEVE BALLINGER | PRESIDENT, MERTZ MANUFACTURING, LLC
"Mertz Manufacturing was at a critical juncture with two key customers as we sought to triple production of oilfield utility trailers in four months with no additional floor space. We embarked on an aggressive plan that combined capital expenditures, productivity, and additional people to achieve our goals. SixthSenze worked with us to implement LEAN Manufacturing to successfully eliminate waste, deliver material to point-of-use, improve material flow, reduce material handling, and dramatically reduce manufacturing cycle time. Most importantly, they worked closely with our people to train them in LEAN thinking, which contributed greatly to our success. Implementing LEAN principles allowed us to double production with current personnel. Then, with the new processes in place, the timely addition of personnel allowed us to ultimately triple our rate within the four month goal. These gains were achieved with minimal capital expenditures.
SixthSenze' role was key to our success. They listened to our needs, then brought the methodology and passion essential to drive real change in our environment. We have since embarked on a project with SixthSenze in a second product line."
SixthSenze' role was key to our success. They listened to our needs, then brought the methodology and passion essential to drive real change in our environment. We have since embarked on a project with SixthSenze in a second product line."