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"Successful Outreach Achieves Results"
ATAC Client Success Stories

ATAC Mission: To deliver innovative productivity and technology solutions to existing and emerging Alabama businesses and industry.


2008 Project Success Stories
Automatic SMP (August 2008)	Sustaining continuous improvement is the business philosophy for Decatur, Ala.-based Automatic Screw Machine Products Company (Automatic SMP) and since 2005, the company has partnered with Auburn Technical Assistance Center (ATAC) for its guidance and expertise in leading, implementing and sustaining lean processes. Working with Automatic SMP on a variety of training and coaching programs, ATAC has helped the fi rm improve processes, quality, performance, and equipment reliability. Automatic SMP recently reported progress achieved in its Cross Drilling area that suggests the benefi ts achievable through adopting a business philosophy of continuous improvement. Click here for pdf file of complete project feature.
Muskogee Metalworks (July 2008)	Attaining AS 9100 quality certification has required a long-term commitment from Muskogee Metalworks, but achieving this milestone in July brought with it the capture of another long-term dream. The small, 26-employee manufacturing firm owned by the Poarch Creek Indian Enterprises in Atmore, Ala., also is now recognized by The Boeing Company as one of its certified preferred suppliers – a designation granted only to firms who have undergone the aerospace giant’s rigorous evaluation and supplier mentoring/training program. Click here for pdf file of complete project feature.
TWI Sustaining Lean Benefits (June 2008)	Sustaining a continuous improvement initiative is arguably the most difficult undertaking in a Lean Enterprise. By resurrecting a training method developed to sustain the United States’ industrial might during World War II, Auburn Technical Assistance Center (ATAC) is showing companies that going back to the basics is exactly the catalyst needed to maintain continuous improvement and maximize their investment in Lean. Manufacturers are finding that TWI provides a proven way to promote, create and sustain standardized work; define and develop consistent work procedures; and do so through a system that fosters rapid training; consistent results; immediate efficiency in job performance; improved employee morale; increased productivity; and reduced waste and rework. Click here for pdf file of complete project feature.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. (May 2008)	Sikorsky is a pioneer in the aviation field of vertical flight, and its commercial and military helicopters are found in service worldwide. Two models among the firm’s Seahawk family – the maritime version of Sikorsky’s military Blackhawk helicopter – are built at the company’s Troy, Ala. manufacturing plant. Auburn Technical Assistance Center is working with Sikorsky’s Troy plant to implement lean manufacturing techniques that are proving to produce significant efficiency improvements and cost benefits as the company ramps up production to meet heavy customer demands. Click here for pdf file of complete project feature.
Community Festivals Best Practices (April 2008)	Nearly 100 event planners from throughout the states of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Tennessee participated in Auburn Technical Assistance Center’s (ATAC) eighth annual Community Festivals Best Practices workshops. ATAC hosted two separate events this year -- one at Auburn University in January and another in February at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Birmingham. The Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel provided support to this year’s events. Click here for pdf file of complete project feature.
Wedge Manufacturing (March 2008)	Wedge Manufacturing began operations about 10 years ago as an in-house machining department of Integrated Medical Systems (IMS) in Birmingham, Ala. When Wedge became its own entity about one year ago, management recognized the need to enhance business capacity, and to do so, knew that it had to embrace the Lean philosophy of continuous improvement. Since beginning its Lean journey with Auburn Technical Assistance Center last fall, Wedge has more than doubled its production capacity, reduced overhead and is adding more jobs. Click here for pdf file of complete project feature.
Boise Inc. (Feb. 2008)	Boise Inc. manufactures a wide range of specialty and premium paper products, containerboard and corrugated products, imaging papers for office and home, printing and converting papers, newsprint and market pulp. The company has partnered with Auburn Technical Assistance Center (ATAC) for a number of years to provide Six Sigma training for green belt and black certification. Its in-house continuous improvement projects have resulted in millions of dollars in bottom-line cost savings and process enhancement applicatioins. Click here for pdf file of complete project feature.
SEA Wire & Cable Inc. (Jan. 2008)	SEA Wire & Cable Inc. is a leading supplier of wire, cable, tubing, termination sleeves, cable ties, EMI/RFI backshells, mil-spec connectors, and other cable assemblies for the aerospace and military markets. The company is headquartered in Madison, Ala. with offices worldwide, and plans to double the size of its Madison facility over the current year. With training assistance from Auburn Technical Assistance Center and the Alabama Technology Network, SEA Wire & Cable is building its defense and aerospace business on a commitment to quality. Click here for pdf file of complete project feature.
2007 Project Success Stories
Jo-Ann Stores Inc.	Jo-Ann Stores Inc., a leading national specialty retailer of crafting, decorating and sewing products, involved students through the Auburn Technical Assistance Center’s student outreach program in the continuous improvement effort at its Opelika, Ala. distribution center. The students are credited with garnering a near 100 percent efficiency improvement for the company in total throughput and overall quality. Click here for pdf file of complete project feature.
Bush Hog®	The name “Bush Hog®” arguably is the defining moniker in the world of rotary cutters. Even though the company is an icon in its market, Bush Hog® management understands that to remain the legendary giant, it has to continuously improve. ATAC has partnered with Bush Hog® to implement Lean manufacturing as its continuous improvement program companywide. Ultimately, the training will involve all of its 850 employees. Click here for pdf file of complete project feature.
AmTech	American Technologies Inc. (AmTech) partnered with ATAC to launch a Lean Manufacturing program even before combining its two plants in Montgomery and Kellyton, Ala. into a single location in January 2006. Today, the company, which manufactures wiring harnesses and controllers for buses and medical equipment, is implementing kiazen (continuous improvement) events as a consistent component in its mission to become more productive and efficient. Click here for pdf file of complete project feature.
Standard Furniture	Standard Furniture -- an Alabama-based manufacturer of designer home furnishings -- believes that staying competitive requires a long-term commitment to continuous improvement. The company launched a Lean Manufacturing program in its Bay Minette and Frisco City plants about three years ago. The firm recently expanded its Lean philosophy to include Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) on a company-wide basis. ATAC has partnered with Standard Furniture to assist the company in its training and implementation of Lean and TPM. Click here for pdf file of complete project feature.
Patterson Machine	Patterson Machine Inc. of Union Grove, Ala. completed the stringent AS 9100 certification requirements in only eight months, and thus, is among an elite lineup of small company suppliers to The Boeing Company. ATAC partnered with Patterson Machine to facilitate and guide the company through the certification process. Click here for pdf file of complete project feature.
Curtis Company	Montgomery, Ala.-based Curtis Company achieved ISO 9001-2000 certification and now stands among top companies who practice a business culture of excellence in product delivery, customer service and quality management. Click here for pdf file of complete project feature.