TBM Consulting Group, a provider of Lean and quality training programs to the manufacturing and service sectors, has launched a "Rapid Rightsizing" practice. The initiative is designed to aid manufacturers in adjusting quickly to the current economic downturn. TBM is promising to help clients eliminate waste in their operations, reduce working capital and increase cash flow. The new practice is led by Ken Koenemann, a 25-year veteran of the manufacturing sector. TBM is deploying what it calls "Extreme Lean SWAT Teams." Using a mix of Lean tools and tactics, they will help clients to eliminate wasteful activity associated with working capital, under-utilized labor or equipment, excess floor space, poor quality and energy consumption. Each project ranges from 90 to 120 days. Results, claimed TBM, include reductions of 15 to 50 percent in raw-material inventories, 10 to 45 percent in finished goods inventories, and five to 10 days in accounts receivable Days Sales Outstanding, as well as an improvement in productivity of 30 percent or more. TBM has more than 150 consultants operating on five continents in seven languages.
TBM Consulting Group