Specialty Product Technologies

Last week, our commercial teams from around the world gathered in one room for comprehensive product trainings, best practice learnings, actionable goals and more! This is such an exciting milestone for our organization because #WeAreMoreTogether and to be able to provide our customers with the best, we must continuously strive to be the best! #CustomerObsessed #ContinuousImprovement

Today, we marked the beginning of Pride Month by raising the rainbow flag at our North Carolina facility. This event affirms our commitment to unity and inclusivity. We are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone can be authentic and feel celebrated! #WeAreMoreTogether #CelebrateDiversity

Today, on Memorial Day, we pay tribute to the brave men and women who have laid down their lives in the name of freedom and security. This day reminds us of the heavy price paid for peace and the values of courage, dedication, and sacrifice that these heroes embody. As we reflect on their profound contributions, let us honor their memory by committing ourselves to the principles they fought for. We stand in gratitude and respect, inspired by their legacy as we continue our work with integrity and responsibility.

This month, we witnessed outstanding leadership and collaborative success during #CEOKaizen events at our Elizabethtown, NC, and China facilities. Guided by the principles of continuous improvement, our site leaders, Drew Welker and Charley Cao, steered their teams through a week of intense learning and operational excellence. Drew Welker shared his experience in North Carolina: "The team’s ability to deliver results through FBS was outstanding." Meanwhile, Charley Cao led the event at our facility in China, and summarized his key takeaways with: "1) If you want to achieve the best result, you’d better do the best pre-work, 2) Go to Gemba rather than brainstorming in the office, and 3) The best team wins!!" Drew and Charley helped propel their teams to new heights and reinforced our commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Join us in applauding Drew and Charley for their exemplary leadership. Here’s to more successes and learning across our global operations! #ForYouForUsForGrowth #HDBreakthroughs #Leadership #ContinuousImprovement #Kaizen #Teamwork #OperationalExcellence #LeanCulture

Results are in, report-outs are complete, #CEOKaizen 2024 is wrapping up and teams are heading out for a much-deserved weekend! To say that our team unlocked outperformance using the power of FBS this week is an understatement! The results are proof that if we stick to the fundamentals of FBS and lean on the diversity and expertise of our team, we can far exceed our goals in many cases. Fortive Materials System (FMS) (Team 8), led by Anthony Lilly took home the trophy today! Achieving a significantly improved Kanban audit score and 28% space savings led the team to an impressive 75% reduction in pacer cycle time. All of this was possible due to the complete implementation of Policy Deployment FMS standards such as point-of-use bins, Kanban racking, MRP racking, and finished goods racking. The team did amazing work! However, the true test is sustaining all processes and standard work implemented during Kaizen. These results will continue to enhance our organization, enabling us to better delight customers through quality, service, and delivery. Go Team!!! #ForYouForUsForGrowth #HDBreakthroughs

Day 4 of our Kaizen week has brought us groundbreaking advancements across our teams, from improved material handling to enhanced production efficiency. Here's a quick snapshot of our key achievements: Fortive Material System (FMS): We've streamlined part material management and created more workspace, ensuring smoother operations. The new Kanban system is poised to eliminate part shortages, enhancing reliability in our manufacturing processes. LEAN Conversion: Our team has exceeded expectations with a new U-shaped cell and a revised material replacement system. This reorganization has led to more units produced per labor hour and substantial space savings. Variable Reduction Kaizen (VRK): Exceeding the First Pass Yield goal, we've effectively reduced from thousands weekly. This improvement is crucial for sustaining high-quality production with less waste. Standard Work Kaizen: By reducing cell size and optimizing machine flow, this team has drastically increased output, meeting customer demands in less than half the usual time. These improvements not only boost our internal efficiencies but directly translate into enhanced customer satisfaction and business outcomes. Our teams' dedication to innovation ensures that we remain leaders in delivering exceptional value to our customers. Thank you to all involved for your commitment and hard work. Let’s continue to innovate and lead! #CEOKaizen #ForYouForUsForGrowth #HDBreakthroughs

We've crossed the halfway mark of our exhilarating CEO Kaizen Week, and what a journey it's been! Today was packed with groundbreaking innovations and enriching experiences. We kicked off Day 3 by going to Gemba with our CEO, Jim Lico, diving deep into the real-time processes that drive our success. Witnessing our teams in action and applying the Fortive Business System (FBS) tools firsthand is nothing short of inspiring. Our President, Jochen Feiler hosted a fireside chat with a diverse employee group. These conversations aren't just theoretical—they're about making substantial changes that enhance our efficiency and effectiveness. Throughout this week, Kaizen teams have driven impactful solutions for our customers and strengthened their FBS skills. Beyond the work, the new connections and friendships forming across Fortive infuse our days with extra meaning. Event participants Greyson Hagwood and Vonda Hill summarize the highlights of Kaizen participation best! Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to innovate and inspire. #CEOKaizen #ForYouForUsForGrowth #HDBreakthroughs

Day 1 set the stage with valuable learning experiences, propelling us into action on Day 2! Today, we truly began to see our efforts take shape, turning ideas into tangible improvements that echo throughout our organization. The enthusiasm and commitment from our team have been phenomenal. We've successfully engaged with cell operators to revamp our cell layouts, leading to a more efficient workspace. Quick solutions have been implemented to address significant challenges, reducing machine waste and freeing up essential space. This proactive approach has streamlined our processes, paving the way for substantial advancements and moving us closer to achieving 100% First Pass Yield (FPY). Moreover, today was a day of deeper product insights and initiating numerous experiments. These small wins across various events are monumental steps towards our continuous improvement journey. Let’s keep the momentum going as we continue to innovate and enhance our operations. Every small step today is a leap towards a more efficient tomorrow. #CEOKaizen #ForYouForUsForGrowth #HDBreakthroughs #ContinuousImprovement #Teamwork #Innovation

Celebrating Our Teams’ Breakthroughs during Day 1 of CEO Kaizen Week! Teams have already shown incredible progress and innovation, pushing the boundaries of operational excellence. Here's a quick highlight: FMS (Fortive Material System) Events Teams have begun revamping their processes by relabeling bins, printing Kanban cards, building racks, and optimizing with 5S and more! Lean Conversion Event Creating a new cell from scratch for electro-mechanical counters used in liquid dispenser applications, the team brilliantly simulated and refined cell setup using cardboard cutouts—a practical approach to visualizing workflow improvements. Standard Work Event Dedicated to output improvement, their efforts exemplify our commitment to continual growth and efficiency. VRK (Variable Reduction Kaizen) Events A remarkable breakthrough came with a new heating method, boosting First Pass Yield, and directly tackling supplier issues to drastically reduce scrap. After identifying root causes in materials, methods, people, environment, and measurement systems, they've found ways to significantly reduce scrap by addressing faulty materials and improving cell instructions. As we celebrate these milestones, let’s continue to embrace challenges with a growth mindset, fostering an environment of continuous improvement and innovation. #CEOKaizen #ForYouForUsForGrowth #HDBreakthroughs #OperationalExcellence #Innovation #ContinuousImprovement #ManufacturingExcellence

We use kaizen and our FBS tools to bring our most significant ideas to life and challenge ourselves to achieve more than we thought possible. Our company is bringing together people from different parts to tackle our customer's biggest challenges, enhance productivity, and unlock new growth opportunities. For instance, one team will execute a complete LEAN conversion of a specific manufacturing cell with the aim of reducing footprint, improving labor efficiency, and more. Their success will ensure reduced lead times that meet customer needs faster and with the highest quality. Meanwhile, another team will use data to drive reduced customer response time and improved customer success score. As a result, we'll have the tools to provide a smoother and more enjoyable experience in the future. Stay tuned for more updates on all the impactful work to be done next week! #CEOKaizen #ForYouForUsForGrowth #HDBreakthroughs