Shop floor chaos can feel inevitable when priorities change by the hour and everyone is chasing the latest crisis. Why does it keep happening, and can you actually stop it? Yes – when you give people clear, real-time priorities they can trust. At LillyWorks, we see the same pattern in discrete manufacturers of all sizes.… READ MORE
The Misunderstanding About Throughput Most manufacturers equate an increase in throughput with running machines faster or adding capacity. But that approach often leads to more work-in-process (WIP), more chaos, and the same output at the end of the day. The truth is, throughput in manufacturing isn’t just about doing more – it’s about keeping flow… READ MORE
Manufacturers today are often inundated with dashboards displaying a dizzying array of key performance metrics for manufacturing. From overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) and yield rates to first-pass quality and inventory turnover, the sheer volume of data can be overwhelming. But amidst all the numbers and charts, which key performance metrics for manufacturing truly signal the… READ MORE
Every manufacturer knows they need to calculate process capacity to understand their production limits – how many units can a machine produce per hour, how many orders can a work center handle in a day. These calculations provide a theoretical ceiling, a benchmark against which performance is often measured. But knowing your theoretical maximum is… READ MORE
Today’s manufacturers are awash in shop floor data. Sensors, systems, and reports generate more information than ever—machine performance metrics, real-time inventory levels, and employee productivity tracking. The promise is that this wealth of data will deliver greater visibility and more effective shop floor management. But is it really improving decision-making and outcomes? Or are we… READ MORE
Many manufacturers invest in sophisticated advanced planning and scheduling (APS) systems, hoping to create the perfect production blueprint – a meticulously crafted sequence of operations designed to optimize resources and ensure timely completion. The promise of these systems lies in their ability to foresee potential bottlenecks and proactively allocate capacity. But what happens when the… READ MORE
In the world of manufacturing, efficiency is paramount. One of the biggest hindrances to a smooth manufacturing process is what’s known as a ‘bottleneck’. This term refers to the point in the production line where work accumulates faster than it can be processed. Fortunately, scheduling software has emerged as a powerful tool to address and… READ MORE
Critical Ratio is arguably the best of the traditional priority alternatives for managing work flow in the plant. Once called “ingenious” by none other than Joe Orlicky because it establishes relative priorities accurately, Critical Ratio (divide the days available until the due date by the days of work left to be done on the job)… READ MORE
Author: Lori Adams (CloudMFG, LLC) Many manufacturing companies struggle with traditional production scheduling methods. Common production scheduling methods range from Excel spreadsheets and white boards to Finite Scheduling programs embedded in ERP or Advanced Planning and Scheduling tools (APS). These traditional manufacturing scheduling methods tend to be “high” maintenance and are far too complex to manage… READ MORE
Hampton, NH — March 20, 2017 — Richard (Dick) Lilly, founder of LillyWorks™ has been honored as an Editor’s Pick in New Hampshire Business Review’s Best of Business 2017. Mr. Lilly established LillyWorks to maximize the benefits of new, revolutionary cloud-based ERP and Production Scheduling software to enable small manufacturers to deliver on time, in less time,… READ MORE
Protected Flow Manufacturing Empowers Manufacturers to Do More in a Competitive Market The Bureau of Labor Statistics has just released the June employment numbers. Manufacturers should take note. Manufacturing added 37,000 jobs in July, with most of the gain in the durable goods component. Although the national unemployment rate is 3.9%, in manufacturing the unemployment rate… READ MORE
The bottom line on how to drive more informed pricing decisions As a production manager, the challenge is always how to determine what product mix is optimal and how to price products to allow your company to achieve a desired profit margin – or better yet, maximize profit-making capabilities. In determining a price point, you must… READ MORE