GA Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP) Georgia Tech

Tim Israel Named Director of Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership

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Tim Israel Headshot

The Enterprise Innovation Institute (EI2), Georgia Tech’s economic development arm, has named Tim Israel, director of the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP).

Israel, who had been GaMEP’s associate director and group manager of process improvement, will be responsible for the manufacturing resources and regional staff located across Georgia.

He succeeds Karen Fite, who was named interim vice president of EI2 in July of 2019.

“Tim has done an outstanding job in leading our efforts to work with Georgia manufacturers in increasing their efficiencies and process improvements, especially in waste reduction, streamlining operations, and quality control systems implementation,” Fite said. “His experience and expertise, as well as his vast and deep relationships within Georgia Tech and with our GaMEP partners ensures continued success of our mission.”

Israel, a 30-year veteran at Georgia Tech, began his career as a project engineer in Tech’s Gainesville Regional Office. He also served as a project manager in Georgia Tech’s Georgia Productivity and Quality Center (GPQC) and the Center for International Standards and Quality (CISQ).

An expert in lean manufacturing, quality management systems, and supplier development, Israel earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in industrial engineering from Georgia Tech.

How Industry 4.0 is Driving Changes in Modern Manufacturing

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Robotic arms working in a manufacturing facility.

Industry Trends: Manufacturing

Manufacturing makes the modern world possible, from the food we eat to the devices we use to communicate. But just as our technology evolves, so too does the approach to making it.

But, manufacturing encompasses multiple technologies and disciplines — and change occurs in all of them. Here are the key trends in manufacturing today and how they’re shaping the factories, supply chains and workforce of tomorrow.

Trend #1: Industry 4.0

By some estimates, the world is currently in the throes of its fourth industrial revolution — one defined by interconnectedness, decentralization, automation and analytics.

“It’s basically the deployment of what a lot of people are calling ‘smart factories,’” says Mike Demaline, director of Industry and Strategic Partnerships at Georgia Tech Professional Education.

Of course a smart, data-driven factory doesn’t thrive in isolation. Large firms exist as part of the greater manufacturing ecosystem and depend on numerous small and mid-size companies. Associate Director of the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Timothy Israel believes that one of the most significant shifts in manufacturing is the ubiquitous implementation of new technologies.

“I think the most important trend is the adoption of technology throughout the manufacturing supply chain,” Israel says. “It’s industry 4.0, the internet of things, the whole connection of the plant floor, automation and the related cyber security issues.”

So you might think of Industry 4.0 as the meta-trend in modern manufacturing. It entails all of the subsequent trends on our list.

Trend #2: Analytics and the Internet of Things

You can’t have a smart factory without data — and thanks to the information generated by the ever-expanding sensory capabilities of manufacturing technology, a smart factory has more data about its processes than ever before.

According to Chris Luettgen, Professor of the Practice and Associate Director at Georgia Institute of Technology, the advantages of big data analytics go well beyond the ability to troubleshoot problems.

“When there’s trouble, as engineers, we tend to look at the data and try to find where things got out of control. Big data analytics and predictive process control allow us to manage our process so we never get out of control. Therefore, we could actually use that data every second.”

When combined with sophisticated statistics and processing techniques, the vast amounts of collected information allows smart factories to identify problems in a production process well before a catastrophe or even a minor error occurs.

Trend #3 Project Management

Let’s face it, when most of us think about the future of manufacturing, we think about robots. We may even cling to the notion of machines replacing all the human workers in a given factory. But while automation is indeed a strong trend in manufacturing, such a dystopian vision remains a piece of science fiction.

“I would say that the idea of robots taking our jobs was very much overblown,” says Timothy Israel. “Now, the robots are being put in to help with very manual, repetitive processes. Small scale cobots are helping protect the worker from repetitive motion injuries and things like that.”

Cobots — or collaborative robots — work alongside human workers. Like all automated systems, they require skilled technicians.

“The jobs have shifted,” Israel says. “They’re still there, but now it’s a question of ‘Who works on the robots? Who are the maintenance folks who can keep them running well? Who can program them?’”

These requirements produce higher skilled and better paying jobs to manage the automated systems, sensors and integrated systems that define the smart factory. As a result, many companies are choosing to upskill and reskill existing employees, rather than depend on layoffs and new hires.

Trend #4: Redefining Manufacturing to the Workforce

The manufacturing workforce is changing on multiple fronts. Not only are jobs becoming more skilled, but an aging and highly experienced generation of workers — especially manufacturing engineers — continue to slip into retirement.

With all that employee wisdom ready to walk out the door, companies are moving very fast to capture it. To bolster manufacturing’s future, companies have to appeal to the millennial and post-millennial workforce. Part of the challenge is to promote the changing face of the manufacturing industry. The technology is increasingly advanced, the jobs are skilled and the pay is better.

In redefining manufacturing for new generations of workers, it’s also essential to dispel the misconception that U.S. manufacturing jobs are all going overseas.

Mike Demaline points out that, for years, many commentators believed that U.S. manufacturers simply couldn’t compete in the global market due to heightened costs. This view, he stresses, simply isn’t true anymore.

“That’s why you see so much manufacturing coming back into the county right now,” Demaline says, “because with the use of automation, with the use of technology, with the broad deployment of sensors, the overall cost of manufacturing has declined greatly. And we’re able to be much more flexible and do some things that we weren’t able to do in the past.”

What’s Next?

What does the future hold for manufacturing? For starters, automation will continue to improve the efficiency of the supply chain.

According to Demaline, cost reductions and increases in computational and sensor capabilities are enabling new generations of autonomous hardware. Plus, the advent of self-driving vehicles in coming years will revolutionize the transport of materials.

Additive Manufacturing — or 3D printing — also promises to improve manufacturing efficiency. Instead of subtracting raw materials into required parts through milling or grinding, it allows manufacturers’ increasing ability to assemble three dimensional slices of their intended product.

Prepare for Manufacturing of the Future

Georgia Tech has several professional education offerings to enable manufacturing professionals and employers to prepare for success in the manufacturing environment of tomorrow. We offer training courses, a Certificate in Manufacturing Leadership, and a Professional Master’s in Manufacturing Leadership.

Written by Robert Lamb

GaMEP Taps Wendy White to Lead Statewide Efforts in Food Safety Program

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Wendy White Headshot

Wendy White, a nationally known food safety expert, has joined the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP) as a food safety project manager.

In that capacity, she will provide educational outreach and support to help Georgia food manufacturers improve their food safety and quality systems.

Prior to joining the GaMEP, White was director of corporate food safety and quality at Golden State Foods, a food manufacturer and distributor in the industry with more than 35 sites around the world.

“I will work to help Georgia food manufacturers comply with government regulations for food safety and to be in compliance with those rules to avoid heavy fines, delays, and shutdowns,” White said.

She also will lead GaMEP’s new Food Safety Cohort Program, helping companies achieve compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA,) through a series of six 1-day group training sessions and additional one-on-one coaching sessions.

“Wendy brings an incredible wealth of knowledge and expertise which will be especially critical for our small- to medium-sized food manufacturers in Georgia,” said GaMEP Associate Director Tim Israel.

Many large companies have the resources to devote strictly to their compliance activities, but our small companies, don’t always have that, he said.

“Through her efforts, Wendy will help those smaller Georgia food manufacturers develop and expand robust compliance activities so that they’re sustainable over the long term as well as, easy to understand and implement into their operations,” Israel said.

Georgia is among the nation’s leading agriculture states and the industry accounts for nearly $75 billion of the state’s economy each year.

Food manufacturing, or food processing, is a related and growing segment of the Georgia economy. This sector, which includes 69,000 jobs across Georgia, generates $11 billion to $12 billion each year in total output.

White has overseen food safety operations at multiple facilities where she implemented Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans and related quality programs.

Her experience also includes overseeing internal audits, implementing corporate programs, ensuring regulatory compliance, elevating food safety culture, and supporting global supply chain management. She successfully implemented multiple Global Food Safety Initiative (GSFI) Certification Programs and is on the editorial board of Food Safety Magazine.

White is also a highly sought-after speaker at food safety conferences and is very involved in the International Association of Food Protection (IAFP). She’s held multiple leadership positions, and currently serves as vice chair of the Meat and Poultry PDG and sits on its Foundation Committee.  White is past president of the Georgia Association of Food Protection (GAFP) and currently is an IAFP board delegate.

She received a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in food science from the University of Georgia.

Click Here for More Information on GaMEP’s Food Safety and Quality services.

Kia Plant Tour Drives Student Interest Towards Careers in the Automotive Industry

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In April, a group of Georgia Tech students had the opportunity to tour the Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) automotive plant, an impressive facility spanning over 2,300,000 square feet located in West Point, Georgia. Hosted by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Atlanta Section, the tour provided students with an in-depth look into KMMG’s history and manufacturing process for the three Kia models produced in the plant: The Optima, Sorento, and most recently the Telluride, which debuted in spring of 2019.

Mike Stonecipher of GaMEP at Georgia Tech, Joy Johnston and Ted Arnold of KMMG welcome Georgia Tech students to the Kia Plant 

Before witnessing the plant’s assembly line in action, the students met with KMMG employees, Ted Arnold, Head of Quality Assurance, and Joy Johnston, Public Relations Specialist, to learn what sets KMMG apart from other automotive manufacturers. Arnold and Johnston highlighted several of the company’s quality accolades, including its recent award for ranking number one among all mass market brands for four consecutive years. The pair was quick to credit its success and continued growth to its incredibly diverse and highly skilled workforce.

“The Kia Georgia Training Center and Georgia Quick Start have played a key part in the Kia Continuous Improvement mindset, helping us to sustain a work environment dedicated to fostering teamwork, safety, and world-class training,” said Johnston while discussing some of the company’s core values and training methods.

Following a Q&A session, the students experienced the final part of the visit and what they had been anticipating since their arrival – a golf cart tour through the different stages of the Kia assembly facility. During the tour, the students were driven through multiple buildings on-site as Johnston explained the operations performed in each one. In addition to watching employees work together on the assembly line to build vehicles, the students got a firsthand look at how the plant incorporates automation into its process. Stopping at one point in front of a group of industrial robots, the students observed how the robots welded together the inner and outer panels of a vehicle.

“Seeing the automation that surrounds the process was really interesting,” commented Reed Clark, a Georgia Tech senior majoring in mechanical engineering. “I had never been in an automotive plant before so I enjoyed seeing how the assembly line works and watching all the car bodies and parts move overhead from one area to the next until you’ve ended up with a full-blown car. It was easy for me to identify all the different steps of production as they were happening on the assembly line.”

Accompanying the group of Georgia Tech students during the tour was Mike Stonecipher, Project Manager for the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP) at Georgia Tech and Board Chair for the SAE Atlanta Section. Having significant work experience within the automotive field, Stonecipher is an industry expert and has been involved with the SAE Atlanta Section for the past five years. After being named Board Chair three years ago, he has played an integral role in revitalizing the section through strong leadership and strategic plan development and execution. Generating excitement and interest in the field of automotive has been an important goal of the SAE Atlanta Section’s strategic plan. To accomplish this, the SAE Atlanta Section works with Georgia Tech and GaMEP throughout the year to develop successful events that not only increase interest within the community of students, but also champion manufacturing in the state of Georgia.

“The SAE Atlanta section is heavily involved with promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and serving the automotive industry,” Stonecipher said. “We have some of the best colleges in the world developing the next generation of engineers and leaders.  As a result, one of our objectives is to support local manufacturers and students by providing an opportunity to connect.”

The Kia Plant tour is one event choice that aligns well with the SAE Atlanta Section’s objective. According to Patrick Sands, Public Relations Manager, KMMG is excited to offer students ranging from middle school age to college level an inside look at the automotive industry as well as provide an example of an advanced manufacturing opportunity that could be available to them once they join the job market.

“During a plant tour, students are able to see up-close-and-personal the quality that Kia puts into its products,” Sands said. “We hope these tours not only inspire students to think higher of the brand, but to also consider joining the Kia team once they graduate.”

 

About Kia Motors America

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia Motors America continues to top quality surveys and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands and 50 Best Global Green Brands by Interbrand.  Kia serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and offers a complete range of vehicles sold through a network of nearly 800 dealers in the U.S., including cars and SUVs proudly assembled in West Point, Georgia.*

A GR-R-REAT Consortium Event!

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Recently, the Kellogg’s Bakery in Rome, Georgia, hosted the Northwest Georgia GaMEP Advanced Manufacturing Consortium for a deep dive learning event on, “Predictive Maintenance.” The speaker, Jeff Craig, Reliability and Maintenance Professional with Fuss and O’Neill Manufacturing Solutions, presented to the group on how to create a more efficient and accurate maintenance plan using tools to collect data and monitor equipment in real time.

Jeff Craig, Reliability and Maintenance Professional with Fuss and O’Neill Manufacturing Solutions, presents to the group on how to create a more efficient and accurate maintenance plan

Then the group took a tour of the bakery, testing out monitoring tools such as thermal imaging cameras and vibration sensors, many of which were inexpensive solutions that connect to smart phones to display images or record data.

Finally, the attendees met back to discuss the “plusses and deltas” of the tour, noting great ideas and examples seen in the host plant, but also sharing suggestions and opportunities for improvement.  Paula Glover, Enterprise Engineer with Shaw Industries said, “The deep dive event allowed me to benchmark and bring several ideas back to our plant that we could use almost immediately.”

Predictive Maintenance is just one tool of the Total Productive Maintenance system (TPM.) Equipment-related problems can frequently lead to safety, quality, productivity, and customer delivery issues. TPM is a proactive approach to equipment maintenance that alleviates the stress and frustration caused by breakdowns and reactive maintenance programs, leading to higher levels of uptime/output and lower costs. Sound like something your company could use? Contact your Region Manager for more information.

Interested in networking and benchmarking with other manufacturing companies at events and tours? Find out more about our peer-to-peer learning groups or check out our events page for an upcoming opportunities.