Dr. Ernest K. Banks will lead a seminar titled "Lean Six Sigma and Process Improvement".

Join us in person or on Zoom.

The abstract is as follows: 

Interested in experiencing how Lean Six Sigma (LSS) saved $850k/year while optimizing the rate limiting step of one of the more profitable products in a major pharmaceutical company?  This presentation discusses how LSS combined two popular Process Improvement methods - Lean & Six Sigma - to debottleneck the manufacturing process of a sold out non-ionic x-ray contrast media.  

The two-train Nanofiltration process used membrane separation techniques to remove low molecular weight impurities such as color bodies, residual solvents, salts, etc. from the product stream.  The process step was also believed to be the main yield loss point of the entire manufacturing operation. Time-tested strategies were used to provide the organization with a clear path to achieve the mission as fast & efficiently as possible.  The following team-focused tools will be introduced to expose you to the methodology of eliminating waste & defects while reducing variation in a real-life situation:

• Created a Project Charter to organize & communicate our thoughts
• Developed a detailed Process Map
• Prepared Cause & Effects Matrixes (C&E)
• Performed several short term & long term Capability Studies
• Formulated a Failure Modes & Effects Analysis (FMEA)
• Conducted multiple data mining activities
• Initiated Gage R&R studies
• Implemented Design of Experiment (DOE) activities
• Established a Control Plan to institutionalize our progress