Skyline Enterprises is a team of Industrial Engineering and Operations Improvement Experts who support operation-centric companies by providing temporary/part-time/shared engineering, single project support, customized training, and technology solutions for the purpose of improving operations measured in cost reduction and customer satisfaction.
One unique feature of Skyline Enterprises is how we support smaller operations: a shared resource (similar to what IT and HR professionals have done). Smaller organizations typically don't have the capital for an experienced, professional, full time engineer. Quite frankly, they likely don't have enough full time work any way. By sharing the expense of an experienced engineer with other small companies, they get quality support without breaking the bank. With this person on the payroll, they get to know the company and its culture intimately as they are an employee. This is why we prefer the term Advisor vs. Consultant.
Another unique solution is what we call the "spark". This person is responsible for breaking the "I can't engage in continuous improvement" viscious cycle and sparking a chain reaction that inevitably creates internal resource availability and a continuous improvement culture. One goal can be to promote an internal resource enabling time for this person to focus almost solely on continuous improvement projects.
What drives us OPERATIONAL PERFECTION. If sharks don't swim, they die. Likewise, if companies don't deliver properly to changing customers, the competition passes them and they often die. "The only constant in life is change." We all know things change... markets change, customer requirements change, expectations change... The bar gets continuously set higher. The speed at which a company is able to adapt and navigate business processes produces a competitive advantage. Perfection is a goal that can never be obtained, which is why we focus on the journey and believe embracing continuous improvement should never end. Our experience shows that the most need lies with small to midsize companies who feel the most pressure to do more with less. Our passion can help your operations zing and wow your customers.
Operational Perfection is a journey to be enjoyed not a destination that ends
Company History Skyline Enterprises was born from Justin Schmidt's experience in 2005 as an Industrial Engineer for an 80-person manufacturer that initiated lean implementation three years prior. He was tasked to continue the companies' lean initiatives by leading teams on existing opportunities and recommending new ones. Within two years:
An automated paint system (that happened to be the manufacturing bottleneck) was working almost perfectly, paint usage was down $70,000 a year, throughput increased by 15%, and amazingly (not initially a metric) first time quality improved by 15%
A production line was redesigned improving throughput by almost 40%, reducing manufacturing footprint by 20%, thus allowing for partial and finished goods inventory storage there vs. shipping
Inventory levels were reduced another (from original efforts) $300,000
Improved tool changeover times by 15%
Kan ban levels were adjusted, two-bin systems were implemented, and various small kaizen events led to improved inventory delivery or management methods
The shipping department was re-laid out
"Voice Of the Customer" and Design for Six Sigma concepts were introduced during the new product introduction process
A number of other small kaizen events by and for manufacturing contributors were completed
Whether it's a two year shot in the operational arm or a gradual introduction to operational excellence, Skyline Enterprises was designed for the small to midsize enterprise with right-sized support. We look forward to speaking with you about your vision of operational excellence.
