Plant Operations: Productivity and Cost Improvement Using a Continuous Improvement Process toward Scrap and Fluid Management

Chicago, Illinois - Productivity improvements in today’s manufacturing plants and machine shops are typically derived from the evaluation of the machining equipment, operating procedures, and labor allocations associate with process-side activity. Often the metalworking waste streams; consisting of metal and fluid is overlooked as a place for productivity improvements due to an assumption that a collect-and-dump approach is the most cost effective method of scrap and fluid management.

The discussion presented by PRAB challenges the industry assumption of limited gains and payback through comprehensive management of metal and fluid waste by demonstrating proper evaluation techniques and system-based equipment selection to offer quantifiable gains. This interactive discussion will evaluate the metalworking by-product and demonstrate how to turn it into an environmental and economic benefit through a Continuous Improvement Process (CIP) to manage the waste stream.

About the speakers
Tim Hanna has more than 35 years’ experience in machine shops and OEM businesses related to the automotive industry. As an Executive Director for an automotive spring manufacturing company Tim understands first-hand the importance of establishing productive, safe, actionable operating procedures to achieve sustainable growth. Mr. Hanna’s expertise in coolant management for recycle and reuse comes from his 15 years as the Managing Director for PRAB. Tim uses this experience to educate the industry on the importance of safe and effective coolant management and environmental compliance

Ron Chapman is a mechanical engineer with more than 20 years’ experience in industrial metalworking and fluid reclamation for automotive, aerospace, construction equipment, and general metalworking applications. Ron works with large OEM’s and small machine shops to fully understand current scrap and fluid management challenges and works to offer comprehensive automated options with quantifiable cost savings. Ron is also well-versed in ISO-14001, environmental compliance and helps to guide his customers on possible risk-based scenarios and how to avoid fines related to improper transport and disposal of spent fluids.