Innovation Program Success Story

Jøtul North America Testimonial
“Company Fired Up Over Lean Techniques”

Jøtul North America (Jøtul) is one of the largest manufacturers of cast-iron wood and gas stoves, inserts and fireplaces in the world today, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t always room for improvement. Jøtul’s worldwide reputation for quality workmanship has certainly made the Portland, Maine-based facility a huge success.

The company emphasizes changes to the process that will reduce the needed production area space and warehouse storage space while utilizing standardized production processes, reducing handling of production components and increase flexibility in meeting customer demands.

Recognizing the need to be open to new ideas and techniques that will ensure the company’s continued success in the future, Jøtul engaged Time Wise Management Systems (TWMS) and Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Maine MEP). With the assistance of a US Department of Labor High Skills Training Grant, administered through Coastal Counties Workforce Board, Jøtul and the project team implemented a lean program centered on education and training projects that led to continuous improvement methods through out the production area.

The implantation of lean resulted in reducing the company’s manufacturing space from 21,000 square feet to 7,500 square feet, and saving approximately $285,000 a year. Simultaneously, Jøtul negotiated with some of its suppliers to more efficiently send and package material to the facility, reducing non-value-added time spent by employees sorting through materials for use in the assembling process. They also increased their sales per employee, which increased the margin on each stove sold and enabling the company to minimize any increase in stove prices.

“I would certainly recommend the TWMS and Maine MEP team to any company looking to improve and increase production while minimizing the efforts on employees,” said Shawn Mallow, vice president of engineering and manufacturing for Jøtul.