Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1372612
8 PCB007 MAGAZINE I MAY 2021 Nolan's Notes by Nolan Johnson, I-CONNECT007 Operational Excellence If you have read my column before, you may have caught me sharing stories about my Mini Cooper, Junebug. She's a 2009 model and has served me well for 12 years and just over 150,000 miles. Junebug's role is chang- ing to now serve as the commuter car for my college-aged daughter. And, at this point in Junebug's life, keeping her running safely and well means regular maintenance and repair. Last month, Junebug needed some routine work—some wires had broken in a wiring har- ness and a couple of sensors needed replacing. To my chagrin, my regular shop kept Junebug for 28 days to complete the work. Yes, you read that right: four full weeks! e work that needed to be done was not challenging, it's just that my mechanic is buried in work. It's a good problem to have, but frustrating for his cus- tomers. He has already expanded from his orig- inal shop into the building next door; he can't get any bigger without relocating. So how does he possibly increase his capacity? is is why the best bet is to constantly re-examine his processes and his "product flow," which in this case is cars through the bays. Trouble is, I don't think the mechanic thinks in that way. Junebug is fixed and running like a top again. We really didn't need the Mini back during