Since its founding in 1914, when mining safety was in its infancy, Mine Safety Appliances Co. (MSA) has grown into an international corporation. Its headquarters, however, remain just outside Pittsburgh. According to Lean Sigma manager Jerry Todd, MSA is “the world’s largest manufacturer of sophisticated safety equipment.”
MSA’s relationship with Catalyst Connection began in 1998. For the past few years, we’ve worked together to apply lean manufacturing and value stream mapping (VSM) to the MSA supply chain.
The MSA focus on continuous improvement drives its operational excellence team to seek better ways to coordinate “not only between plants, but throughout our whole supply chain,” Jerry says.
“Initially we were looking to devise a training plan for our supply chain teams across North America.” MSA operates 10 manufacturing plants in North America, three of them in the Pittsburgh area. “After we began our continuous improvement activities, we started to see the benefits and utility of value stream mapping.”
“About eighteen months ago, we initiated value stream mapping,” he explains, calling VSM “a very powerful tool.” “Now we are applying [it] through our logistics centers.” At this point, he says, “We would like to take the same tool and use it within all of our manufacturing plants.”
With a portfolio of 4,000 products, MSA also aims to utilize value stream mapping through its entire supply chain. “We are looking to do some very powerful things with supplier development and supply chain management.”
Thus far, our work with MSA’s suppliers is helping to resolve chronic quality problems by enabling suppliers to shift to more frequent deliveries and smaller batches. And although recent MSA/Catalyst Connection efforts have concentrated on manufacturing, Jerry has other partnering opportunities in mind. Possible VSM applications include new product introductions and supplier development processes. “We are excited about the potential benefits these initiatives will deliver for our customers and for MSA,” he says.
Jerry describes his experience with us as positive. “I have always had a high regard for the people at Catalyst Connection,” he says. “They’re an excellent resource with a strong network of industry professionals.”