Participants
Nine Six Sigma Green Belt participants became more proficient at solving complex problems and helping their organizations reduce operating costs through increased efficiency and waste reduction.
The participants earned their Green Belt certification after successfully completing a two-month training program through Moraine Park and presenting final workplace projects this fall.
Participants included Kevin Arndt, Dave Bethke, Stephanie Brainard and Andrew Schmidt of Grande Cheese Company; Brian Schafer of KMC Stampings; Kevin Ebert of Alliance Laundry Systems; and Jeremy Spriggs of Kleen Test Products. Business representatives, sponsors and project champions attended the project presentations in support of participants.
Projects
The Green Belt projects focused on ways to positively impact the bottom line for each of their companies. Projects included:
- Determining whether reducing the labor force on a production line would increase profitability without negatively affecting employee morale.
- Measuring the effect of redesigning a component on a piece of equipment. The participant’s goal was to increase product output, reduce rework and decrease downtime.
- Reducing the cost of treating wastewater and reducing the loss of product in the wastewater treatment process.
- Improving laser cutting quality on specific metals to increase sales opportunities.
- Reducing scrap costs due to product component damage.
All participants expect to either reduce costs or capture greater revenue opportunities as a result of their projects. For example, one participant estimated a $700,000 annual savings in reducing wastewater usage and product loss.
“I found the training to be informative and engaging,” Kevin Ebert, quality engineer at Alliance Laundry Systems, said. “In my role, I will use what I learned to help collect and analyze data to support process changes. After taking the class, I’d highly recommend Green Belt training to all quality professionals as it is a useful tool to support and drive continuous improvement.”
Upcoming Opportunities
MPTC will offer its next Six Sigma Green Belt Certification training beginning January 22, 2024. Classes will be held twice a week each month, with project presentations scheduled for May 21, 2024. The deadline to register is January 8, 2024. For those who have completed Green Belt Certification, MPTC will offer a Black Belt Program from January 29-March 25, 2024. The deadline to register is January 15, 2024.
Email training@morainepark.edu or call 920-924-3449 for more information on upcoming trainings.