Advice to Package Faster (Without Adding More Wooks)

[Ralf]

@PopsEdibles

@Ralf

Not only for the reasons @Tom listed above but also because it breeds competition and resentment. Especially when management/ownership shows more appreciation to the fastest packager/timmer/etc.

Most owners think it’s best to have a giant whiteboard or meetings to go over who’s the ‘best’ and the ‘worst.’ As if the ‘worst’ will somehow pull up their bootstraps and try to beat the ‘winner.’ All it does is make everyone who isn’t the ‘best’ or close to the best resent those above, doubly if the ‘best’ get perks or extra love from higher-ups.

Better to track on the DL. Then, in a friendly manner, take time with the slowest employees to help them improve (not in front of other employees). Find out why they may be slower, and adjust methods to help them succeed.

Setting employees up for success should be one of the essential tasks of higher-ups.

So, I am using the batch-and-queue method to my employees. I find that way the most efficient. However I Am open to trying out new ways (one-piece flow) Im going to try that out next week and see how that works out on the efficiency & speed of packaging.

As for the bag idea, I might switch over to bags soon. Feel like what you said is true, it would take MUCH less time to package that out. Boxes do require more steps.

Sounds good. Please update the thread after you try the one-piece flow method, if you don’t mind, because I’m sure it could help others reading (myself included).

I think owners/managers should adopt lean manufacturing practices as much as possible, along with Kaizen. Six Sigma is another approach that is worth considering for some companies.

Yeah, the bag def will be faster and cheaper. @CuriousChemist22 made a good point about customers expecting boxes. But if using bags allows you to drop your price by a few bucks, that could bring more customers, even if they prefer/expect boxes.