COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS 9/18/07 2:16 PM Page 215
Loma, Calif. These distribution points daily meetings on an informal basis,”
capitalize on excellent transportation sys-
tems to ensure prompt delivery.
New Products
With so many companies under one um-
brella, Steimle says CPG is able to use the
expertise and knowledge of each division
to benefit all product lines. For instance,
CPG is currently manufacturing special
vents for use on the largest building un-
der roof in the St. Louis area – the Boe-
ing Aircraft manufacturing plant.
Although Milcor produces the vents, the
division leans heavily on the expertise of
Roof Products and Systems. “We don’t
always think of them as being unique
products because we have so many
capabilities to meet customer needs,”
Marketing Manager Larry Devitt says.
To utilize these resources across compa-
nies, CPG holds monthly sales and opera-
tions meetings, where the CPG sales force
communicates with operations and engin-
eering staffs exactly what customer expect-
ations are, whether it is for new designs
or customization of individual products.
In addition, “We also have weekly and
tion more streamlined. The results have
Steimle says. “We make sure we’re creat- shown it was a good move. Steimle says
ing the product the customer expects.” one particular area where CPG needed
One new product CPG recently devel- improvement was its Bensenville plant
oped is commercial and industrial vent- layout. The improved layout includes a
ing for thermoplastic membranes thro- one-piece flow system that has decreased
ugh Portals Plus. This product, according lead times by at least 15 percent.
to Devitt, allows moisture to escape that From Devitt’s view, morale throughout
is usually trapped by newly installed re- CPG also improves through lean manu-
trofitted roofing systems. Portals Plus has facturing. Communication has increased
been developing the product for about a when opportunities for improvement
year and it is almost ready to hit the mar- show themselves, and employees at every
ket. It will be nationally distributed. level are involved. “Having all groups
Also, Roof Products and Systems re- involved has given everyone a greater
leased Diamond Adapter curbs, which perspective on what the other guy does
minimize the need for external gusset on the job and what does it mean in rela-
supports to install air-conditioning units tion to themselves,” Devitt says. “If an
on roofs. inside salesperson has a better under-
standing of what goes on in the shop, he
Getting Lean is more knowledgeable for the customer.
CPG is not new to lean manufacturing; Part of that knowledge is helping us to
however, Steimle says the company real- innovate to meet customer’s needs,
ized this year that it needed to get its top knowing what our capabilities are and
managers involved to make the organiza- what the other guy does down the hall.” ■
EDWARD HINES LUMBER CO.
Founded in 1892, Edward Hines Lumber Co. is the leading supplier of building materials in Chicagoland. Its divisions
include millwork, windows, cabinets, components and factory-finished cedar siding. It offers 10 full-service lumber-
yards. For more information, visit www.hineslumber.com or call 888-ED-HINES.
OCTOBER 2007 ■ CONSTRUCTION TODAY ■ 215