Ahmed Al-Fraih graduated from department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering in 2002. 

Project Title: Implementing Lean Manufacturing System at EFTC.

(2002)

Abstract

Manufacturing companies of all sizes are in a desperate race to remain competitive and profitable. Companies are looking for improvement in every process and how to be the number one choice for their customer. Improving manufacturing processes seems to be the first area typically addressed. These processes could take years of building, and it involves many partners including customers and suppliers. In short, to become lean, companies need to evaluate every step it takes to provide products and services. The main focus of a lean system is the customer, determining the quality and specification to ensure their total satisfaction. This requires discipline and total commitment from the entire organization to utilize all available resources to work in harmony to reach this goal. The challenge is to apply the right tool. at the right place, at the right time. Lean is a whole-systems approach that creates a culture in which everyone in that organization continuously improve processes and production under the same vision.
       The aim of this project is to implement a pilot lean manufacturing program for specimen parts representing a family in a contract manufacturing company named EFTC, the company specialized in manufacturing printed circuit boards mostly for aerospace applications. The products that were delivered to the most profitable customer. "Quantum", were selected to implement a pilot lean manufacturing program. The products were then classified into three groups from which each part representing a family was selected namely the main assembly, subassembly, and the through hole assembly. The parts selected were based on the customer demand, the operation cycle, and the maximum number of non-value added activities that were evident during the examination.