CP Adhesives Benefits From Department of Labor Grant and NJMEP

Clifton, New Jersey, February 5, 2008 – In an effort to lower costs and increase efficiencies, CP Adhesives, Inc. with the help of The New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP) has completed a year long lean manufacturing and marketing program.

The NJMEP (www.njmep.org) assisted CP in securing a matching grant from the Department of Labor in order to facilitate the training and then managed the training throughout the year.  Topics such as 5S, Value Stream Mapping, Customer Service and Market Development were covered in detail.  “Lean training is one of the keys to keeping small and medium sized manufacturers competitive in the U.S.,” said Dorothy Repka, NJMEP field agent.  “In today’s global market manufacturers need every advantage they can get.”

In a year that has seen unprecedented cost increases, CP has managed to maintain margins by eliminating “waste” in their operation.  Tighter inventory controls, more efficient workers and a more organized manufacturing environment have all allowed CP to minimize the impact of rising costs on their customers.  “By understanding how value is created within their company a manufacturer can start to better control their business,” said David Hollinger, Sr. Partner Prime Business Group, an NJMEP resource.  Hollinger, a Six Sigma Greenbelt and CPIM certified consultant spent over a year working with CP to develop their lean manufacturing program.

“The results have been impressive,” said Kent Pitcher, President of CP Adhesives.  “At a time when suppliers are increasing prices rapidly and costs are spiraling out of control, we’ve been able to maintain margins and pass along fewer increases of less magnitude to our customers.”  Pitcher estimated net savings from the program will top $400,000.00 annually.

For more information, take a look at this 5S Comprehensive Training, Education and Resource Center.