About Us | Careers | Resource & Learning Library | Contact Us

Ghent Manufacturing

About Ghent Manufacturing

Ghent Manufacturing was founded in 1976 in downtown Lebanon, OH and has become a premier manufacturer of visual communication products and office furniture for both educational and business use. The company has since moved to an industrial park in Lebanon and now employs over 160.

Ghent makes and sells the chalk boards you see in schools across the country, bulletin boards and marker boards used in businesses throughout North America, and the trophy cases we all use to display our treasured accomplishments. Ghent sells through many market channels from contract builders, to catalog houses, and wholesale distributors in many market segments. Their unparalleled service approach, and unique culture earned them several awards. After 5 years in business, Ghent established themselves as number 28 in the INC 500. In 1990 and 1997, Ghent earned the Business of the Year Award from the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce. Most recently, Ghent was awarded the Manufacturing Category Milestone Award from the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce.



Business Needs
In 2000, growth & gross profit hit a plateau. As price pressures deteriorated standard product margins, Ghent focused on non-standard “custom” products. Prior quality improvements laid a strong foundation for change.  Mark Leasure, Executive Vice President, identified a need for a dramatic and quick impact.
 


 
 Immediate Challenges
Gross margin improvement on commodity products became vitally important to the future. Ghent needed quantum improvements in all areas (production, customer service, purchasing, scheduling, & logistics) to increase margins. Ghent partnered with DEFINITY PARTNERS to achieve faster results and provide the “how-to knowledge” to Ghent rather than “buzzwords” or theory. Ghent’s aim was higher margins and a culture of continuous improvement at all levels of the organization.

 
 Definity Partners Plan
  • Hands-on with production leaders and shop employees to attack leading problems
  • Made improvements everyday on shop floor 5 days a week, 8 hours a shift, every shift
  • Throughput increased through lean manufacturing techniques … implemented not just recommended
  • Branched into non-manufacturing departments to streamline order to delivery process
  • Overcame obstacles quickly - employee skill level, mindsets, and communication between departments
  • Created goals and accountability through a management system focused on the results
  • Established visual measurements to enhance improvement process
  • Taught Ghent’s custom associates to easily identify waste & make changes to eliminate waste
  • Reduced finished good levels to nearly zero when lead-times reduced from improvement efforts
  • Implemented quick ship program for customers to ship most items within 48 hours
  • Trained management team how to sustain improvements & encourage future improvements
  • Spread improvements made in operations to others areas and supported Ghent since 2001


 
 Results

Ghent achieved increased performance, better teamwork, an improved management system, and Champions of Change.



 
 The Figures

Ghent realized a 56% rise in Operating Profits while creating a culture of sustained change, steadfast company-wide teamwork & true employee ownership!  Annual results achieved from an intense 5-month effort include:

  • 12.6% Gross Margin increase
  • 56.6% Operating Profit increase
  • 30.1% Custom Production Productivity gain
  • 11.4% Lead Time reduction
  • 8.2% Inventory reduction
  • 11.5% Materials used reduction
  • 30-week Payback


 
 Continuous Improvement

 



 

 

© 2010 Definity Partners, LLC. All rights reserved. | Home | Contact Us | Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Employee Login