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Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)

Investments in Continuous Improvement Prove to Be Critical to Meeting Future Manufacturing Requirements

With the help of: Impact Washington

About

Founded in 1965, Analog Devices, Inc. specializes in solving the engineering challenges associated with signal processing in electronic equipment. Headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts, Analog Devices, Inc. is a world leader in the design, manufacture, and marketing of a broad portfolio of high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing (DSP) integrated circuits (ICs) used in virtually all types of electronic equipment by over 100,000 customers worldwide. These signal processing products play a fundamental role in converting, conditioning, and processing real-world phenomena such as temperature, pressure, sound, light, speed, and motion into electrical signals to be used in a wide array of electronic devices.

The Challenge

Analog Devices, Inc.'s Camas, Washington, manufacturing site has maintained a long-standing relationship with Impact Washington, part of the MEP National Network™, that dates back before its name change from Linear Technologies. After eight years of training, which included Kaizen events, TWI, and LECP training, Analog Devices, Inc. continued to incorporate more complex processes than ever before in an on-going attempt to improve cycle time and yield of the product. Despite this, the company continued to experience some unpredictable results and sought more stability in those areas.
Working with Impact Washington for nearly a decade has been beneficial and exciting. It has elevated our manufacturing metrics to world-class standards while creating an avenue for personal enrichment and job satisfaction. One of our proudest achievements has been creating a culture of relentless continuous improvement within all roles. With the guidance of Impact Washington, we have significantly improved our manufacturing process, and we are excited to see the future using the skills we have developed.
— Eric Simmons, Manufacturing Operations Manager

MEP's Role

Analog Devices, Inc. reengaged with the Impact Washington team in 2018 for on-site training of all employees in Toyota Kata to provide a consistent way for the entire company to think and approach work issues. Kicking off with a two-day on-site training class, the consultant then returned for a follow-up 15-day session. Impact Washington provided a consultant to train employees of all shifts (day, night, midnight). Incorporating a "coaching aspect" to the contract helped educate employees and build confidence in using the tools while implementing a more standard approach to all processes. Since completing their training, the company has been rolling out the Kata approach as a continuous improvement method for all internal projects, regardless of size. Everyone now enlists the same terms and languages to address identified issues and recommended solutions. Recognizing the value of their investment, Analog Devices, Inc. has since requested four more coaching and training sessions.
Created April 30, 2021, Updated July 12, 2021