At the September 24 Union County Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Breakfast, State Representative David Burke emphasized the importance of process improvement to Ohio’s manufacturing competitiveness. 

Burke talked about reducing waste and improving flow to reduce manufacturing costs.  He described his experience touring area manufacturing plants and learning how they’re striving to cut costs by eliminating unnecessary process steps and reducing inventory levels.  We were delighted to hear our representative  promoting Lean as a priority! 

At the breakfast we also heard from State Senator Karen Gilmore and a representative from US Senator Mary Jo Kilroy’s office.  Health Care Reform and Cap and Trade were the more controversial federal legislative initiatives that were discussed.  They are controversial, in part, because of the increased burden they will place on business if passed.  In the case of Cap and Trade, the bill disproportionately affects the State of Ohio because of our manufacturing-based economy.  

To keep jobs here in Ohio, it is critical that our businesses take steps to compete with world-wide challengers.  The US Congress has a host of bills moving through the legislative process that, if passed, will further challenge our manufacturing companies with increased taxes and regulations.  If your company has not yet taken action to address internal waste and inefficiency, I hope you’re beginning to feel the urgency.  The challenges we currently face will pale in comparison to those that await us if these anti-business laws are enacted.

Traditional cost-control efforts such as limiting paper and office supply use are worthwhile, of course, but they don’t begin to address the deep-seeded wasteful activities that have become standard practice in many of our businesses.  As a business community, it’s time to proactively address our opportunities to improve.  We can’t afford to wait any longer.

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