CK Technologies: Leveraging QAD Explore for Continuous Improvement
Technology Category
- Functional Applications - Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
Applicable Industries
- Education
- Plastics
Applicable Functions
- Logistics & Transportation
- Quality Assurance
Use Cases
- Additive Manufacturing
- Manufacturing Process Simulation
Services
- Testing & Certification
- Training
The Customer
CK Technology,
About The Customer
CK Technologies is a market leader in the North American commercial heavy truck market, providing large plastic injection molded parts and assemblies. Their products can be seen on tractor-trailer cabs, buses, and large trucks around the world. The company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cascade Engineering, was formed in 2002 with one manufacturing facility and 60 associates. It has since grown to have four manufacturing locations and 825 associates. Their annual revenue has increased over 1,000% since they began manufacturing. CK Technologies is committed to continuous improvement in all of their business practices.
The Challenge
CK Technologies, a leading thermoplastics solutions provider in the North American commercial heavy truck market, faced a significant challenge in maintaining continuous improvement in their business practices. This was particularly difficult due to the nature of their low volume, high variability business. The company produces a wide variety of parts for multiple customers, supplies parts for current truck models, and also the service parts for past design versions. They are also one of the first companies in the industry to supply parts in body color for each customer, approximately 1,400 colors a year, which have to be perfectly sequenced for shipment. This complexity in their operations made it challenging to stay informed and inspired to accomplish continuous improvement.
The Solution
CK Technologies found a solution in attending QAD Explore, an annual event where the QAD community of customers, sponsors, and experts come together for informative sessions, hands-on training, and stimulating discussions. The company has been attending Explore since 2012, and over the years, more employees have taken advantage of the Explore experience. Prior to travel, the group determines CK’s Explore schedule and decides which sessions to attend. They also decide the best times for visiting the Solutions Expo, a gathering of all the Explore sponsors in one place. Then they set daily team meetings at the event to collaborate on the information and networking gathered each day. This approach has allowed them to learn from other companies, gain insights into the latest trends, and plan for the future.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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