Lean Implementation at Rosendin Electric – Field Crew Huddle
The successful Lean implementation at Rosendin Electric can be attributed to two primary factors: the alignment of Lean principles with Rosendin’s core values and the unbundling of methods to make them simple and easy to adopt.
Rosendin’s core values – We Care, We Listen, We Share, We Innovate, and We Excel – have allowed for the natural integration of Lean methods and techniques into the company’s culture and operations.
Key tenets of Lean, such as Respect for People and Continuous Improvement have provided the foundation for adopting Lean practices throughout Rosendin’s organization, guiding all of the company personnel to adopt behaviors that demonstrate both their commitment to their people and to their customers.
Implementing Lean Techniques
The First Key to Lean Implementation Success
By placing a strong emphasis on training, mentoring, and team building, Rosendin has cultivated a culture of Respect for People that emphasizes personal development, safety, and mutual respect.
The Second Key to Lean Implementation Success
The second key to success lies in Rosendin’s unbundling of the often-complex methods and techniques. While concepts such as Just-in-time and Continuous Improvement appear simple, their implementation can often lead to confusion and can sidetrack workers. Rosendin has focused on making their implementation simple, easily understood steps or techniques.
The Result
By breaking down the components of Lean into easily digestible pieces, conversations can be focused on specific techniques that apply to a given task or area of waste. These two main strategies have helped Rosendin to successfully implement Lean initiatives and principles.
Standardized Work & Kitting
Rosendin employs standardization as a solution to reduce variation, which has further supported their Lean implementation. By standardizing work processes, Rosendin has been able to streamline its operations and eliminate waste.
By identifying the assemblies for common components, such as wall boxes for electrical receptacles, Rosendin can minimize their inventory to standard items, have their crews gain familiarity with a smaller number of variations, and improve their training to be more targeted, all of which improves productivity and profitability.
An Emphasis on Prefabrication
Rosendin’s ongoing pursuit of innovation has put an emphasis on how and when to use prefabrication. This has allowed them to increase efficiency and reduce waste by constructing components off-site, and kitting parts for the many assemblies they use in electrical work that come with a variety of components, fittings, screws, washers, and other items. Using kitting thereby reduces the need for on-site activities for sorting and organizing materials, and emphasizes time spent on tools.
Prefabricated Cutting Improves Flow
In their prefabrication shop, Rosendin prepares components in kitting packages for their field personnel. These assemblies are grouped by area and put onto wheeled carts or in organized cages, enabling workers to quickly gather the necessary items without having to frequently pause and locate materials.
Improving Flow with #Prefabricated Cutting
This approach also has ergonomic benefits, as workers do not have to handle or carry heavy materials, reducing the risk of injuries. Furthermore, the use of wheeled carts provides flexibility as they can be easily moved between areas to keep them close at hand. The approach has proven to be effective, not only in enhancing efficiency but also in minimizing waste.
A Successful Lean Enterprise
Rosendin’s success in Lean implementation can be traced back to the alignment of its core values with Lean principles, as well as its ability to break down complex methods into simple, easily understood concepts.
Their use of standardized work processes and prefabrication has helped to streamline operations and reduce waste while also supporting Continuous Improvement and promoting a culture of teamwork, respect, and safety for all employees. These approaches have enabled Rosendin to maintain its position as a leader in the construction industry.
Resources to Learn More
Download A Case Study in Lean Construction: Rosendin Electric for a full report of Rosendin’s Lean Implementation and details on their approach.
To access more resources on case studies and how successful lean adopters implement continuous improvement in their organizations, please visit our Resources page.