Lean Success Story

Spirit Electronics, Inc. Testimonial
“Organization Takes Spirit Electronics Through Principles of Lean Manufacturing Improves Work Flow and Customer Satisfaction”

Spirit Electronics, Inc., a Phoenix-based company, is a distributor specializing in supplying products and services to the military/aerospace industries. Since Spirit continuously adds new franchises to their distributor base, the company not only wanted to maintain their outstanding customer service, but find ways to improve on order and quality processes as well.

They partnered with Time Wise Management Systems (TWMS) and Arizona Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Arizona MEP) to facilitate a three-phased approach project. The project team performed an enterprise assessment to identify the company’s strengths and opportunities for improvement. Secondly, utilizing Time Wise® Value Stream Mapping System, they began mapping their present process in their order management office to establish their current state. The mapping process helped Spirit to envision its future state and recognize ways to improve the way they process orders, reducing a 32-step process to only 14 steps. Finally, through a short burst of activities resulting in incremental but constant improvements, the staff at Spirit was able to create standardized workstations with a visual, more efficient and relaxed working environment.

“I cannot say enough about the tremendous staff at TWMS and Arizona MEP,” said Vicki Wessel, President of Spirit Electronics, Inc. “We have seen some great results within our company and have some extremely powerful tools to use for continuous improvement and growth.