PHOENIX– Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT), a leading global technology distributor, today announced that the company is a recipient of the 2011 Showcase in Excellence Award from the Arizona Quality Alliance for its Avnet Global Solutions Center 5S processes. Avnet implemented these processes into the Chandler, Ariz. integration center as part of its commitment to operational excellence. Avnet received this recognition today during an awards banquet, which was keynoted by Janice K. Brewer, Governor of Arizona.
“Avnet is committed to realizing the highest levels of operational excellence in everything we do,” said Gerry Fay, chief global logistics and operations officer at Avnet. “The Avnet Global Solutions Center team earned this recognition from the Arizona Quality Alliance which demonstrates our team’s ability to create efficient work environments that deliver high-quality solutions to our customers.”
The 2011 Showcase in Excellence Award recognizes organizations for specific process excellence. Avnet was recognized for implementing a highly effective 5S program that has improved computer integration cycle time, increased production capacity, and increased revenue per employee. The 5S process methodology enhances productivity by keeping production environments efficiently organized and assigning work and equipment specific locations to maximize ease of use and speed of operation.
During the past 10 years, Avnet has been supplying more solutions-based products that integrate all of a customer’s technology needs into one package. These all-in-one solutions have been growing in complexity over time, sometimes including thousands of components and sub-assemblies connected with complex software. To address this complexity, Avnet was able to utilize 5S processes to increase efficiencies and refine its flexible production environment while enhancing the professional appearance of its production area.
In a 5S workplace each employee, or team, has ownership of an area and is held accountable for maintaining a clean and organized work area. The Avnet project identified all the tools and materials needed at each workstation, while extraneous items were removed and remaining items were analyzed for frequency of use. These items were then standardized for all workstations, put on workstation display boards, and “shadow boxed” with those used most frequently placed nearest the employee. This enabled employees to efficiently perform any computer system integration work assignment at any workstation, resulting in greater production flexibility within the integration center. The team also created a workstation auditing and scoring process consisting of management and employees to provide feedback and measure consistency.
Avnet’s results from implementing the 5S processes included:
Improved workflow addressing the complexities created by all-in-one technology solutions
Improved cycle time by 55 percent
Increased productivity per employee by 16 percent
Improved complex builds capacity by 30 percent
The annual Arizona Performance Excellence Award Program recognizes Arizona organizations for performance excellence. The program was established for all Arizona organizations, manufacturing or service, profit or not-for-profit, private or public sector, local, state or federal. Modeled after the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award criteria, the program provides recognition and valuable feedback to organizations pursuing operational excellence.
About Avnet
Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), a Fortune 500 Company, is one of the largest distributors of electronic components, computer products and embedded technology serving customers in more than 70 countries worldwide. Avnet accelerates its partners’ success by connecting the world’s leading technology suppliers with a broad base of more than 100,000 customers by providing cost-effective, value-added services and solutions. For the fiscal year ended July 2, 2011, Avnet generated revenue of $26.5 billion. For more information, visit www.avnet.com.