The
Rochester Institute of Technology’s (RIT) National Center for
Remanufacturing, Resource Recovery will be presenting four training
workshops during the Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association’s
(APRA) International Big R Show, which takes place Oct. 31 – Nov. 2 in
Las Vegas.
Automotive parts remanufacturing is becoming more competitive every
year. Progressive remanufacturers are always looking for new ways to
save money through process improvements. Surface cleaning is a
remanufacturing process where companies can typically find improvement
opportunities due to the ever-increasing number of new chemistries and
technologies available. Once identified, how does a company determine
which options are most cost-effective for their operation? RIT will
present “Calculating the True Cost of Cleaning” from 1:30- 2:45 p.m. on
Saturday, Oct. 31. This presentation will discuss the costs associated
with cleaning and the methods used to calculate the true benefits to
the organization.
Another topic that impacts every remanufacturing operation is
workstation design. RIT will present its “Workstation Design for Lean
Initiatives” seminar from 2:15 – 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1. Companies
can benefit from applying industrial engineering techniques for
increased productivity at any station where work is performed. This
seminar will focus on proper workstation design while giving examples
of common problems and ways to overcome them. Insight on why fixture
use or misuse can impact productivity, quality and worker safety will
also be discussed. Seminar participants will gain an understanding of
what should be considered and implemented for optimal workstation
layout. If you feel that your current workstation designs are in need
of improvement, then this seminar is for you.
Following that seminar, from 3:45 – 5 p.m., the discussion will turn to
“Improving Quality – Straight to the Bottom Line.” Warranty returns.
In-process scrap. Rework. Are these necessary evils? In many cases,
these financial burdens can be reduced through a root cause analysis
and subsequent corrective action. This seminar will focus on the
processes used to analyze and troubleshoot the causes of failure to
meet requirements in any shop. If you haven’t seriously explored
quality improvement as a lucrative opportunity, then this seminar is
for you.
Then, from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 2, RIT will discuss
“Opportunities for Remanufacturing.” Remanufacturers often focus on
their existing capabilities and customers when looking for new
opportunities to advance their organization. This focus can yield
excellent results, but all too often opportunities can slip by
unnoticed. This presentation will cover a variety of topics, related to
the automotive remanufacturing industry, which will challenge the
attendees to refocus on emerging opportunities. Topics such as the
momentum building around environmental sustainability will be discussed
as it relates to material reuse, increased governmental awareness of
remanufacturing, the turmoil in the automotive industry and current
emphasis on “green economy” jobs.
For more details and updates on the 2009 International BIG R Show visit www.BIGRShow.com or call APRA Headquarters at 703-968-2772.
