Tour of B&B Manufacturing

Every one of our shop tours has been as different as those who manage the companies. While B&B is definitely the biggest of the companies, it was clear that within the culture of this company was a collective spirit built on creativity, commitment, technology and training. Forget about the size of the 120,000 square foot facility split into a variety of different buildings. One could not help but understand they take the “BIG” out of their business and make each cell or department an independent (yet connected) business model.

Collectively, there are incredible engineering resources available to insure that the fundamentals of the “B&B Way” are the foundation of the process being developed for a part, kit or assembly. The involvement of the cell employees is critical as they develop a process complete with shadow boards with dedicated inspection and cutting tools. Pictures with clear instructions for every aspect of handling the part(s) is always in clear view.

B&B is aggressively moving to a new business model where they work with their customers to identify solutions that allow them to gain a proprietary position within their customers supply chain. One such cell was for small aircraft engine blocks. B&B staff meticulously developed a cell over a 12 month period to enable them to make over 80 different part configurations within a two week period instead of the customers previous 20+ week lead time.

Critical points for B&B future lie in their ability to identify customers that hold a similar vision of lean solutions. Clearly they have a depth in their manufacturing capabilities that include lights out cell manufacturing, clean rooms, high level assembly capabilities and supply chain management. The management of this vast line-up of manufacturing resources is the Human Resource and Training expertise necessary to maintain their culture of excellence. Time and time again, B&B noted that training was critical to their mission. They have built a training room where new employees learn the techniques unique to their cell. They also manage employee quality performance and target skill sets to improve employee capabilities within their cell. Creating and maintaining standard work is key to their business model and it was reinforced in every corner of the company that they are process driven.

Our personal thanks to all of the B&B staff who made this another incredible tour – B&B Manufacturing is world class because of their people. If you have missed our past tours, you are missing out on technical and practical examples of what makes great companies great!

Hot Topics