In today’s fast-paced business world, innovation is key. But where do the best ideas come from? Often, the answer lies closer than you think: your team.
Here at Flex Interconnect Technologies, we’ve embraced a philosophy of bottom-up improvement. By creating a collaborative environment, we empower employees at every level to suggest measures to improve our quality and efficiency.
The Power of Team Meetings:
We believe fostering open communication is vital. That’s why we hold weekly team meetings focused on process improvement. Everyone contributes, ensuring we capture diverse perspectives. When we face an issue, all team members and operators participate in identifying the root cause, and everyone is encouraged to suggest ideas for overcoming the issue. By tackling problems from different angles, we find the most effective solutions and continuously improve.
Here’s how these meetings continue to fuel our growth: 
- Open communication is the cornerstone of our success. These meetings go beyond reports and updates – they’re collaborative brainstorming sessions where we tackle challenges head-on.
- Identifying Bottlenecks: Frontline employees often have the clearest view of inefficiencies in daily operations. Team meetings allow them to voice these issues, leading to solutions that streamline processes and improve productivity.
- Diverse Perspectives: With a team of people from different backgrounds and experiences, we gain a wider range of perspectives. This diversity leads to more creative solutions and a deeper understanding of customer needs.
- Cross-Functional Meetings: We hold regular meetings that bring together people from different departments across the factory. This ensures we’re approaching issues from the perspective of the entire operation, not just individual departments. This collaborative approach helps us avoid creating upstream or downstream burdens by fostering open communication and a holistic understanding of the production process.
- Employee Ownership: When employees feel their input is valued and implemented, they become more invested in the company’s success. This ownership fosters a culture of continuous improvement where everyone is looking for ways to make things better.
How Bottom-Up Improvements Put Customers First:
The results speak for themselves. By embracing bottom-up improvement, we’ve seen:
Fewer Errors, Faster Delivery:
- Mistake-Proofing with Poka-Yoke: Read about how instead of blaming employees for occasional errors during development due to the yellow-lit room, we embraced the poka-yoke philosophy leading to fewer delays and ultimately, faster delivery for our customers. Mistake-proofing with a Sharpie | Flex Interconnect Technologies (fit4flex.com)
Optimized Production Flow:
- Smarter Chemical Bath Management: Previously, bath replacement on the wet floor prioritized maximizing the life of the chemicals, creating production bottlenecks. Through employee-driven improvements, we implemented covers and signs for heating tanks. This allows for better planning and avoids unnecessary delays, ultimately leading to a smoother production flow that benefits our customers.
Increased Efficiency, Improved Service:
- Standardized Material Size: Read about how thanks to an engineer’s suggestion, we now use standardized material sizes. This streamlined workflow saves time, boosts morale, and increases overall efficiency. By working smarter, not harder, we can dedicate more resources to fulfilling customer needs and providing exceptional service. Why We Standardized Material Size | Flex Interconnect Technologies (fit4flex.com)
Overall, bottom-up improvement is a powerful driver of business success. By empowering our team and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, we are able to unlock a wealth of untapped potential and propel our business forward.