Co. Design: How an Aeron Chair Gets Built Every 17 Seconds
Although current public perceptions of American manufacturing are treated with mixed opinions, the
Although current public perceptions of American manufacturing are treated with mixed opinions, the reality is that the United States is still one of the world’s primary manufacturers. But what’s different, is that many existing plants in the United States are more efficient and successful than ever. One such example is the facility that manufactures the Herman Miller Aeron office chair. Just over 10 years ago, the facility underwent a Japanese “Kaizen” mentoring (a process spurring continuous and organic improvement in the workplace). The decision resulted in a 500% increase in productivity and a 1,000% increase in quality since the program’s inception. The chair that once took 82 production seconds to make, is now completed in a fraction of that time — one chair every 17 seconds. Check out this video that documents the story of the Aeron Chair -— an innocuous triumph in American manufacture.
Source: Co.Design
