Lean Success Story

MassMEP Produces Stellar Results for Thermal Management Company

Stellar Industries makes miniaturized heat conductive ceramic blocks similar to circuit boards which are made-to-order for customers in the telecom, biomedical, and defense industries. As demand for their products was increasing, management recognized a need to more efficiently manage their production process.

Stellar engaged the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP) to help streamline their performance on the production lines MassMEP then helped the company obtain a Workforce Training Grant through the Massachusetts Department of Employment and Training to finance the program and implemented Time Wise® Principles of Lean training throughout the company.

Since the program was implemented, the dollar output per manufacturing employee has increased eight percent to an all time high for the company. Product output has increased by 25 percent. For the first time ever, all weekly work orders were delivered on time.

“The MassMEP team opened our eyes to different ways of manufacturing,” said Ron Visser, President of Stellar Industries. “We can now look at everything from a different standpoint. We take what the customer wants and break it down into smaller steps to increase productivity and product quality.”

“Communication is key. As a result of the training, we have opened up lines of communication that weren’t there before,” added Visser.