The state of lean is like beauty—it is in the eye of the beholder. Some companies have convinced themselves that they are doing lean while others believe that their current processes are so far ahead of lean that implementing it would actually be a step backward. Read the article

"Manufacturing needs to be where the market is," emphasizes Laksham. "The primary reason for off-shoring is to save labor costs which in reality are a small component of the total manufacturing costs. Higher labor costs in the U.S. can be easily offset by lower inventory, quicker customer response and higher quality." Read the article

By implementing electronic kanban, which automates and enhances the manual kanban manufacturing approach pioneered by Toyota, Hussmann gained visibility into its inventory levels at its outside processor. Additionally, this pull-based system reduced inventory, ended stock-outs, reduced lead-times and opened up floor space previously used for inventory storage. Read the article

Actual consumption rather than forecasts drive the kanban pull system of replenishment. Implementing it may bring manufacturers closer to their distributors. Read the article

I am a strong believer that manufacturing is where the market should be. It is no surprise that factories are being built by Honda and Toyota in the United States, while GM and Ford are closing plants and running to low-cost operations. I believe manufacturing as we know it will change as the market shifts to a global economy. Here is my take on why there should be more manufacturing in the United States. Read the article

Ultriva Inc., a provider of software for lean manufacturing, has launched a free online tool that identifies potential savings that could be gained through inventory reduction. Read the article

Ultriva, Inc., the world leader in lean manufacturing software, is named as one of Manufacturing Business Technology’s 40 Emerging Companies published in the October 1, 2006 issue. Read the article

The recent buy of lean scheduling and kanban execution vendor Factory Logic by enterprise systems vendor SAP is perhaps the biggest indicator of increasing demand for Lean-oriented software applications. Read the article

At conclusion of the successful pilot, McKesson pressed for a full production system, which was implemented in December 2007 after a typical six-week integration period. Read the article

Ultriva’s lean manufacturing software will replace traditional purchase order processes, and OK International is targeting a 30% improvement in raw material inventory turns and more than a 10% improvement in on-time delivery performance. Read the article

Ultriva Inc., the world leader in lean manufacturing software, today announced the availability of its Real-Time Oracle Connector. With its SAP Connector already available, this new connector means Ultriva offers integration with the two most popular enterprise applications. Read the article

eBots, Inc., a pioneer in the development of “electronic Kanban” software for lean manufacturing operations, today announced the completion of Series A fi nancing totaling $4 million. eBots’ investors include venture capital fi rms Labrador Ventures and Draper Richards, who jointly led the fi nancing with additional investments from Draper Associates and WI Harper Group. Read the article

Our 2007 Pros to Know are continuing to raise the bar within their companies and their industries, and Supply & Demand Chain Executive both salutes their achievements and looks forward to reporting on their continued successes. Read the article

Ultriva Inc., the world leader in lean manufacturing software, today announced the availability of its Real-Time SAP Connector. In conjunction with SAP’s Integration Certification Center, Ultriva has developed and successfully completed testing for integration of its software with SAP's (NYSE: SAP) world-leading ERP systems. Read the article

Ultriva Inc., the world leader in lean manufacturing software, today introduced a new product, Ultriva Supplier Replenishment, designed to help manufacturers digitally manage all forms of material replenishment with suppliers. Read the article

Ultriva Inc., the world leader in lean manufacturing software, today announced that the Timken Company (NYSE: TKR) has selected Ultriva's Electronic Kanban products for use in its European Automotive Group. Timken is deploying Ultriva's Electronic Kanban software products to improve on-time delivery performance to its customers, reduce inventory, and eliminate stock-outs with its suppliers. Read the article

Ultriva Inc., the world leader in lean manufacturing software, today introduced a signifi cant upgrade of its flagship product, Ultriva Electronic Kanban,designed to help manufacturers reduce inventory by up to 75% while eliminating stock-outs. The new release allows shop floor operators to manage and track all material as well as components that are sent to outside processors. Read the article

The world leader in lean manufacturing software has a new name – Ultriva – and an expanded mission to take its products, which dramatically reduce manufacturing costs, to a growing market. The company formerly known as eBots, Inc., recently completed a $4 million round of Series A fi nancing and is now launching itself to a broader audience and expanding its product lineup. Read the article

Ultriva Inc., the world's largest provider of lean manufacturing software, today announced that its business doubled in fiscal year 2006, which ended September 30th, 2006. This unprecedented growth has been driven by both expansion by Ultriva's current customers and new customers, leading the company to its current position where its software is installed in more plants worldwide than any of its competitors. Read the article

Ultriva Inc., the world leader in lean manufacturing software, today announced the general release of Ultriva Electronic Kanban (UEK) 6 with a multilingual toolkit that will enable Ultriva to rapidly deliver new language packs when requested by new and existing customers. Read the article