The Importance of Kitting In Efficient Operations

Today, companies must operate with maximum efficiency, making every process, every procedure, and every dollar count. To compete in an increasingly competitive, globalized economy, manufacturers have to become “lean, mean” machines. How can kitting help them do this?

Kitting: A Quick Definition

As manufacturers know, assembling complex parts – whether for aerospace applications, medical devices, or commercial products – involves a multitude of parts. When each of those components come in separate packages or even different shipments, it can cost valuable time, resources, and money trying to find the right parts for the right assembly at the right time.

Kitting addresses this problem with impeccable efficiency: it is the process of gathering parts and components for a particular assembly or product as a kit. The pre-assembled kit is shipped as needed, instead of packaging each piece as an order is received.

A typically “lean” concept holds that the more parts are handled, the greater the odds of error and damage. Kitting helps reduce the amount of times that components must be handled prior to assembly. The risk of defects and mistakes is significantly mitigated, if not eliminated. As a result, quality can be greatly increased.

Other benefits include:

• Reduced downtime. One of the biggest problems in a manufacturing environment is employee and machine downtime. Trying to find the necessary parts can slow the entire production line down. Kitting puts everything together, in one convenient package.
• Simplified procurement and supply chains. With kitting, ordering is much quicker and easier, and manufacturers do not have to worry about product or component compatibility. 
• Maximum output. Line employees spend their time assembling products/pieces, not searching for the right components. This reduces WIP (or work-in-progress time).
• More streamlined training. When new operators are hired, they are more quickly and easily trained because of the convenience of kitting. This can greatly reduce costs and onboarding time for new hires.
• Reduced line storage requirements. As authors of a Caterpillar case study note, the increasing variety of parts necessary for manufacturing components/products can cause storage problems on the line. This increases the risk of waste and excess raw materials. Further, traditional delivery methods force lineside storage, and this makes operator walking and searching times much higher.
• Increased customer satisfaction. Because kits help streamline operations, manufacturers can fulfill customer orders more quickly and efficiently.

Outsourcing Kitting Needs

When companies outsource their kitting needs, they can realize even greater efficiency and output. At the same time, they can avoid some common challenges of kitting, one of which is ensuring timely and sufficient supply availability.

Kitting offers a solution that can help increase efficiency from supply chain to final product, cut costs, and optimize operator output. 

Contract Assembly: Meeting Your Quality Control Standards

When your company depends on third-party manufacturing and contract assembly, nothing less than the best is acceptable. While price is important, especially considering the ultra-competitive business landscape, quality is non-negotiable. How do you know that your contractor will deliver optimal results?

Before entering into any agreement with a third-party manufacturer or assembly contractor, it is important to inquire about their track record of success – and double-check with documentation. Another critical area to check: do they have ISO9001 and AS9001 certifications? If they do, that also means they have:

• Documented – repeatable – quality management processes. To earn accreditation, companies must demonstrate that they have clearly defined quality control processes. The processes in each area or business function are documented, and potential trouble spots are identified and resolved immediately. Customers/clients can be assured that their assembly needs are in competent, certified, hands.
• Systems for continual improvement. Whenever man and machine operate together, there are going to be occasional errors. To be certified, contractors must ensure that these occasions are few and far between, and more importantly, that they are flagged, investigated, and resolved. Further, steps are taken to mitigate or eliminate the chances of that error recurring.
• Ongoing training and support. Staff members are fully trained and receive ongoing education so they remain on the cutting edge of their field. This includes training required to do their current jobs more effectively and efficiently, as well as learning new skills to tackle increasingly complex customer demands.
• Ongoing internal quality audits. These audits ensure that employees follow all safety and quality control standards as set out in the quality management process. There is a strict procedure contractors must follow.

These four factors help ensure third-party manufacturers and contractors abide by the toughest quality control measures – and that customers will receive the quality they need, when they need it.

Arizona Veterans StandDown Organization: Providing Better Lives for U.S. Veterans

This Thursday and Friday, January 28th and 29th, the Arizona Veterans StandDown Alliance (AVSA) is hosting their annual Maricopa County StandDown. The two day event will take place at the Arizona State Fairgrounds Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Its goal is to bring homeless and at-risk military veterans together to provide greater access to resources such as housing, healthcare, and other necessities. In addition, the event also provides a forum for these American heros to network with community leaders, establishing connections that can lead to employment opportunities and greater independence.

As a former soldier in the 25th Infantry Division, the Arizona Veterans StandDown Alliance is an organization that is very close to my heart. The unemployment rate among veterans is disproportionately high when compared to the civilian population. Given the sacrifices our veterans made for this country, this is a travesty. Not only do our former soldiers deserve better, military training provides an unparallelled sense of duty, leadership and attention to detail that is an asset to any industry. That’s why when recruiting talent for my own manufacturing company, DNKB, Inc., I looked to American Veterans:

Andre Fisher, AVSA Success Story: 

Like so many other American Veterans, Andre Fisher had fallen on difficult times. Though working for a non-profit organization while running his own computer repair business, Andre was unable to keep up with his monthly mortgage payments and was facing foreclosure. He turned to the VA for assistance, and they advised him to attend the 2015 Arizona StandDown event. There, Andre learned of a program that provides housing and other assistance to veterans in crisis. He was deemed eligible for the program and moved into a veteran housing facility shortly thereafter. In his first week of residence, Andre met with a Workforce Manager named Dennis Woods to discuss his situation and background. Dennis and I had crossed paths at various VA functions and he knew I was in need of an Engineer with startup experience, who could develop and implement processes and quality control for my burgeoning manufacturing business. When he discovered Andre’s engineering and project management background, he recommended that we meet. It didn’t take long to conclude that Andre was an excellent fit for the role, and he soon began his tenure as DNKB’s Senior Engineering Director in March 2015.

Today, Andre is an integral part of the DNKB family. The leadership skills and training he received in the Armed Forces are proving to be instrumental to the continued growth and success of DNKB, Inc. The tremendous work that the AVSA does made this all possible. No one can articulate the true value of the event better than Andre:

“The Arizona Veterans StandDown is a huge event for veterans. It’s amazing that almost any problem or issue a veteran is having can be addressed: Healthcare, Nutrition Assistance, Housing just to name a few. These and many more services are available free of charge.”

           

-       Andre Fisher, United States Air Force Veteran

The AVSA has the full support of DNKB, Inc. This year we will be providing a survival kit for any Homeless Hero veteran in need of assistance. We encourage anyone interested  with veterans issues to help us share Andre’s story and spread the word about the AVSA StandDown. For more information, you can visit them on Facebook.

Providing US Veterans a Promising Future

One of the top concerns of US Veterans upon returning home from service is the ability to make a living and provide for their families. DNKB, Inc. of Phoenix is U.S. Veteran owned and operated. We pride ourselves on utilizing the skills and talents of our American heroes by providing jobs in kitting and manufacturing assemble. Give us a call at 480-659-7703 or click to learn more. https://goo.gl/3zuF3y

Learn How Contract Assembly Can Reduce Costs

More and more companies are relying on outsourced contract assembly solutions to help meet their production needs. The reason is simple: with specialized training and a focus on efficient output, contract assembly can save money while ensuring optimal quality standards. DNKB, Inc. of Phoenix is a leader in contract assembly. Click here to learn more how we’re helping businesses thrive. https://goo.gl/p0rWjy

Expert Contract Assembly Services

When searching for an assembly contractor, it’s vital to find a company with the skills, expertise, capacity, and facilities to handle your needs. DNKB, Inc. of Phoenix is ISO9001 certified business, giving you the peace of mind of knowing that your assembly needs are in quality hands. To learn more about our business, give us a call at or visit up on the web. https://goo.gl/3zuF3y

How Can Contract Assembly Save Money?

When companies opt for contract assembly, they outsource the assembly portion of their manufacturing process to a company that is better-equipped to tackle the challenge. Doing so allows their teams to focus on their core activities, while leaving complex assembly to experts. Not only does contract assembly help businesses achieve great results, it helps them save money.

How does contract assembly cut costs?

• Companies do not have to invest in the infrastructure and equipment required for assembly. These costs can stretch into the tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars, and contractors take on the expense to purchase and maintain newer, industry-leading equipment.
•  Businesses do not have to train employees in the complex processes of assembly. This saves money and allows them to use their resources (both monetary and human capital) to achieve their core objectives.
• Quality assembly contractors often offer in-house engineering services. This takes the burden off businesses for the hiring or paying consulting fees for a high-priced engineer.
• Assembly contractors are extensively trained in proper packaging and kitting. This greatly reduces time lost to sorting, finding necessary components, or de-trashing parts and allows employees to work more efficiently.
• The contractor assumes responsibility for code compliance (e.g. AS9100 and ISO9001). This again frees invaluable time and resources for other essential tasks while ensuring that the assemblies are 100% compliant.
• The more a part or piece is handled, the greater the chance for waste or error. A complete assembly results in higher quality pieces and reduces mistakes.

Outsourcing the assembly process enables companies to achieve greater efficiency and efficacy throughout their operations. When they choose a trusted, expert contractor the savings quickly add up.

Find a High-Quality Manufacturing Partner

With stringent manufacturing standards and tight budgets, finding the right manufacturing partner may seem like a Herculean task. Luckily, DNKB of Phoenix, AZ offers high quality manufacturing at a reasonable price. To learn more, give us a call at 480-659-7703 or visit us on the web: https://goo.gl/p0rWjy