Optimize Your Workflow to Improve Your Bottom Line
Rising costs have taken a toll on all businesses in the last decade. But the good news is, opportunities to reduce expenses can be found at each step of your manufacturing flow!
Wasted movements, suboptimal layouts, overprocessing, and more can all eat into your profits.
You know your products, people, and facility inside and out. With the help of Polaris MEP’s lean specialists, you can see your whole organization with new eyes, break down perceived boundaries, and perfect your operations from beginning to end.
The manufacturing improvements have saved Contech over $50,000 and increased the investment in our workforce by $20,000. With our out-of-pocket investment of $10,000, the return on investment to our company is $7 to $1. That ROI helped our organization to reinvest in the company.
Don LaChappelle
Controller, Contech Medical, Inc.
Solutions To Your Challenges
Growth & Strategy
Lean Manufacturing
Facility Layout
How We Help
PROCESS IMPROVEMENT
Polaris MEP helps you and your team reduce waste to reduce costs.
Years of experience in manufacturing help us identify the hidden sources of waste in your processes.
We’ll train your team to eliminate non-value added activities (such as defects, waiting and extra processing) from your process. Through a continuous improvement mindset, workers will find ways to minimize waste on an ongoing basis.
EFFICIENT DESIGN
Layouts can almost always be improved, even those that seem perfect. Expenses can be reduced through improved efficiency in
- process flow,
- material handling techniques,
- distribution,
- safety protocols,
- ergonomics, and
- machinery upgrades.
Our experts work with you to evaluate, design and implement changes to improve manufacturing end-to-end.
EXPAND CAPACITY
Maximize results without heavy headcount increases. Our project managers and vetted third party resource partners can help you increase capacity, freeing up your team to focus on your area of expertise and production.
“I have limited bandwidth as an engineer. Having Polaris MEP as a partner allowed us to have our resources work on other projects that also contributed to generating revenue.”
– Brian Malloy, Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence
By analyzing all aspects of your business, our manufacturing experts can help you find the submerged costs that are eating away at your profits.
Even small changes can make a big impact. With the help of an outside perspective, you might find surprising savings!
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
A highly trained workforce is your best defense against rising expenses. Those who know how to get the most work done in the most efficient manner at the most valued assets a company can have.
Polaris MEP can help you optimize your team through
- Lean manufacturing training,
- “Training Within Industry” Job Instruction, Job Methods and Job Relations courses,
- Grant-funded skills programs,
- and more!
Identify Every Opportunity
- Understand where the waste in your processes is holding you back
- Realign your costs with your growth strategy
- Reinvest your savings to accelerate growth
Transportation waste decreased by 32% and yearly work content (productivity) improved by 35%. “(Polaris MEP) opened our eyes to the full potential impact of Lean and Continuous Improvement.”
Karl WadenstenPresident, VIBCO
Category: Reduce Expenses
Governor Gina Raimondo Recognizes Polaris MEP’s Role in Sourcing PPE/Gowns for COVID-19 Response
Polaris MEP received a "shout-out" from Rhode Island's Governor Gina Raimondo during her daily COVID-19 briefing. "The most encouraging thing for me throughout this crisis has just been the way people pull together. Not a day goes by that someone doesn't do something...
Providence Business News: Many local factories transform to meet needs of pandemic fight
Mary Johnson, Polaris MEP Growth and Strategy Manager, was quoted by in a Providence Business News feature on local manufacturers who have pivoted in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus. "[Johnson] said local manufacturers tend to be producers of components, putting...
Providence Business News: Manufacturers affected by COVID-19 invited to participate in talent exchange
Susan Shalhoub reported on a pilot program that has been set up for manufacturing companies impacted by the coronavirus, sponsored by Polaris MEP, the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association and the R.I. Department of Labor and Training. “The manufacturing employers...
Online Learning: 5S Lean Production Tool to Reduce Waste and Costs
Online learning: watch a video and learn about Lean production tool 5S, used by Polaris MEP project managers to help Rhode Island manufacturers reduce waste.
Responding to a COVID-19 Coronavirus Exposure at Your Manufacturing Facility
Checklist from the NIST MEP National Network- what a Rhode Island manufacturer should do if they suspect a COVID-19 exposure at their manufacturing facility.
COVID-19 Coronavirus: What To Do About ISO, AS9100 and Other Certification Audits
HOW can manufacturing companies manage ISO 9001:2015 and other certification audits during the COVID-19 outbreak? WHY should they care?
COVID-19 Coronavirus: Online Security Tips for Safer Teleworking from NIST
As more Rhode Island manufacturers follow state guidance and encourage more employees to "telework," it's important not to let online security become an afterthought -- or worse, a liability. The National Institutes of Standards & Technology (NIST) now has several...
COVID-19 Coronavirus: 3 Mitigation Practices To Adopt from Food & Beverage Manufacturing
Polaris MEP Project Manager Chris Cinieri shares 3 COVID-19 mitigation practices all Rhode Island manufacturers can learn from food beverage manufacturing.
Resources and Support for RI Manufacturers Related to COVID-19 Coronavirus
Polaris MEP has launched a web page with resources, tips, support, links and more for Rhode Island manufacturers related to the COVID-19 coronavirus. We stand ready to support your unique business needs.
5S Series (pt 5) – Sustain the Gains
VIDEO: Lean Tip of the Week | Lean manufacturing tip – How 5S lean can help a Rhode Island manufacturer sustain gains.

