Lean Success Story

Portland Company Uses Maine MEP to Help Grow Business

Eastman Industries’ owner and president, Nicholas M. Nikazmerad, recently decided to expand his self-propelled lawn mower manufacturing company by purchasing Ingersoll Tractors of Wisconsin. He knew it was a great idea to expand his company to riding mowers, but he had concerns about how to absorb the company into his, where to locate his manufacturing facility, and what was the best way to set up his shop to be as efficient and profitable as possible.

“Relocating the Ingersoll Tractor Co. from Wisconsin to our new facility in Maine proved to be a major task,” said Nikazmerad. “The scope and complexity of dismantling the manufacturing operations in Wisconsin and reconstituting them in Portland was more difficult than anticipated.”

The acquisition of Ingersoll presented Eastman with the challenge of moving into a new facility that was over five times its existing footprint, moving the Ingersoll manufacturing lines 1,200 miles east, and integrating the two manufacturing operations into one.

Working with Eastman Industries, the Maine MEP team assessed what new manufacturing space requirements were needed. Through the assessment Eastman officials identified a new manufacturing space capable of accommodating both manufacturing operations, as well as forecasted future growth. Once the site selection was complete, the Maine MEP team worked with Eastman officials to design a new manufacturing layout by implementing Time Wise® Principles of Lean for optimal manufacturing efficiencies.

In the end, Eastman Industries increased its facility size from 7,000 square feet to more than 40,000 square feet. In addition, Eastman went from five to 12 employees, with additional growth forecast for the near future.

“It is our intention to run a lean and efficient operation to cope with global competition, and to provide good manufacturing jobs right here in Maine.” Nikazmerad said.