Barber-Nichols Cuts Cycle Time By 20% and Improves Efficiency and Profitability

Barber-Nichols Inc. (BNI) specializes in the design and manufacture of turbomachinery for aerospace, cryogenic, defense, energy, and a variety of commercial applications. Products include specialty compressors, fans, pumps, turbines, generators, motors, controllers, and more. In addition to specialty hardware, BNI also provides engineering consulting, contract manufacturing, and since 1966 BNI has been combining innovation with technical expertise to develop products for a growing array of diverse industries. Barber-Nichols is a 100% employee owned company located in Arvada, Colorado and in 2013 BNI received the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation’s Pioneer Award. This award is given to a company that is a pioneer in its industry, demonstrates significant and sustained growth, and invests in its people and community.

Historically Barber-Nichols core competency had been the design and manufacture of prototype machinery. But as more production opportunities presented themselves, BNI realized improved production efficiency was necessary for long-term growth and partnered with Manufacturer’s Edge (formerly CAMT) on several initiatives.

Barber-Nichols identified its fan production cell as an opportunity for improvement and Manufacturer’s Edge facilitated a one-week kaizen event focused on lean manufacturing. With Manufacturer’s Edge’s assistance BNI redesigned the fan production process by streamlining workflow, eliminating unnecessary production motion, minimizing bottlenecks and wait times, and improving organization. And as a result, Barber-Nichols was able to improve efficiency and profitability by cutting cycle time by 20%.

As we work to continually improve our business, we count on our partner, (Manufacturer's Edge), to bring leading edge manufacturing knowledge and training programs to our operations. We have found great benefit in their Value Stream Improvement, Lean Product Development, Supply Chain Management, Kaizen, 5S Workplace, and Rapid Cycle Product Introduction training programs. (Manufacturer's Edge) is a state treasure for large and small manufacturing businesses alike and must be supported and protected for our collective well-being.Dan Thoren, President