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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 12, 2003 |
For more information please contact: John Little Director of Operations Tel: 480-874-9100 |
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Tucson, AZ - Phil Perry, chief executive officer of PerryFuld Design and Manufacturing, has one goal in mind: To make his custom furniture and drapery manufacturing facility into a world-class factory. “That’s my goal,” Perry said. “It has been for quite awhile. I want to become more competitive, respond to crises faster and become an all-around better functioning company.” Perry knew what he wanted – he just wasn’t entirely sure on how to get there. Then he learned about Lean techniques from the folks at the Arizona Manufacturing Extension Partnership and things became a bit clearer. “I had heard about Lean techniques but had never seen an example of how it might work,” Perry said. “But once I saw how the Lean program worked, it really turned my head around.” “We hear that all the time,” said MEP project manager Ian Ellison. “Many company owners learn about Lean techniques through one of our workshops and they can’t wait to get back to their company to start the process. “It is extremely gratifying to work with people like Phil Perry who want to operate the best factory possible and who care deeply about his employees, his product and the future of his business.” In Perry’s case, Lean has become “one piece of the puzzle that will help my company grow and stay competitive with companies that are not even in this country,” he said. PerryFuld produces custom furniture and window coverings for the high-end residential market. With 25 employees, the company manufactures one-of-a-kind chairs and tables out of wood and steel, with special features such as inlays, glassware and artistic designs. PerryFuld sells wholesale to interior designers and architects, and will do volume orders for hotels, motels, etc. “We have served clients throughout the Southwest for more than 15 years,” Perry said, “but more than ever we are facing increasing competition from high-quality craft artisans in Mexico. “I was looking for something that could provide an improved cost structure and delivery schedule that will distinguish PerryFuld from its Mexican competitors,” he added. “I believe the Arizona MEP’s Lean techniques are exactly what I need.” Each employee of PerryFuld will participate in the Lean process this year in an effort to help them work smarter so the company can become more profitable. “The more profitable we become the more chance there is to share those monies with my employees in the form of raises and increased benefits,” Perry said. Perry is convinced PerryFuld will be a company with a solid foundation when Lean techniques are completely in place. “This really excites me,” he said. “And it excites my employees. What we’re learning from Ian and the others at the Arizona MEP has our heads spinning. “After all, it’s making my life easier and the life of each of my employees easier at the same time. By building teams, we are capitalizing on the strengths of each and every employee,” Perry said, “and we are maximizing the efficiency and quality of each work station.” PerryFuld is now moving ahead on completing value-stream mapping and will be moving into a new factory within a couple of months. “Because of all we have learned of Lean techniques and the changes we have implemented, I will not hesitate to look for bigger orders in the future,” Perry said. “I am sure my business will increase because of what we have learned and I am well on the way to realizing my goal of having a world-class factory,” Perry concluded. The Arizona MEP is an affiliate of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under the U.S. Department of Commerce. The national MEP is a network of manufacturing extension centers that provide business and technical assistance to smaller manufacturers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Through MEP, manufacturers have access to more than 2000 manufacturing and business “coaches” whose job is to help firms make changes that lead to greater productivity, increased profits, and enhanced global competitiveness. For more information on the Arizona MEP program call 480-874-9100. |
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