::: dot packaging group inc. :::

HISTORY TESTIMONIALS WHY DOT?

PRINT RUNS SERVICES

Dot Packaging’s long and distinguished relationship with this client should culminate in Dot Packaging being named Supplier of the Year (February 12th, 2007). This is due to the quality of the overall relationship at many levels, the unblemished “On Time Delivery” record of over two years, and the client’s perception of Dot Packaging as a flexible, quality-driven, customer-focused supplier. The client gave Dot Packaging the opportunity to bid on and qualify to supply its folding carton requirements. The client was unhappy with their former supplier (they were not meeting the client’s exacting requirements) and so Dot Packaging was given the opportunity to bid on a contract to supply the client’s folding carton requirements.

Dot Packaging was successful in securing not only that particular contract, but also in securing the majority of the client’s business in that segment. Every segment of Dot Packaging, from graphics & structural design to manufacturing to logistics to sales, played a major role in the successful attainment of this business. This unified focus ultimately lead to business in excess of $1.5 million dollars, while simultaneously ensuring a strong and ongoing relationship for years to come.

This is an account that will generate revenues of approximately $700,000+ in 2007. In 2005, the client’s needs were changing and Dot Packaging had to adapt to these changes, as well as to an increasingly competitive market environment. Dot Packaging succeeded not only in maintaining its long-term partnership with the client, but actually strengthened the relationship. The factors involved in this evolution included:

	Direct ongoing management involvement

	Competitive pricing

	Innovative product advances

	Dot Packaging’s involvement with the Lean Manufacturing initiative that actually was introduced to the client at their request.

	A constant vigilance that insures absolute quality

In November of 2006 this newly strengthened relationship culminated in an employee exchange with the client. Not only is this relationship strong and ongoing, but the process has made Dot Packaging stronger and more flexible.

In a spirit of true partnership, the client, Dot Packaging’s largest account, inquired as to our interest in participating in a Kaizan event at our Batavia facility. The client has long been a proponent and advocate of the lean philosophy and the Kaizan (from the Japanese word to break, to make better) event was offered to only a select number of suppliers. Dot Packaging selected to focus on the improvement of make-ready times on the 7/color press. Any time spent in make-ready is in essence waste, due to the fact that no saleable product can be produced. In addition, production efficiencies suffer. Prior to the Kaizan event, make-ready times averaged 1–1.5 hours, and this was considered a good time by industry standards.

The client sent three people for four and a half days to our Batavia facility to facilitate and participate in the event. Two operation managers and four hourly employees from Dot Packaging were dedicated to the project. Every aspect of the make-ready process was analyzed and evaluated; those aspects deemed efficient were retained for continued application, all others were either modified for increased efficiency or discarded.

The spirit of openness to change and new ideas – the sharing of information and an overall dedication to improvement – lead to a 50% reduction of make-ready times. The event was so successful it was discussed at the client’s highest managerial levels and Dot Packaging was offered the opportunity to participate in another event in 2007. This directly contributed to Dot Packaging being awarded new business contracts with more to follow.