The early days of the DVD technology explosion prompted the founding of State College’s Videon Central in 1997. The company grew rapidly as a supplier of streaming video and Blu-Ray Disc technology to the consumer electronics market.
But by 2011, says Videon’s chief operating officer Paul Brown, a silo approach was creating problems. “Materials were piled, orders were on backlog and employees were not truly working together,” Videon said in a statement. “The company was missing out on the learning and innovation that can come from collaboration and streamlined planning. Despite having a talented team and a solid product, Video wasn’t making the most of its resources and wasn’t optimizing its work.”
The solution came at the prompting of a customer, Rockwell Collins, an aviation electronics company headquartered in Iowa, to pursue Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM).
QRM, explains Videon, “emphasizes relentless reduction in lead time, allowing opportunity for improved quality, elimination of waste and reduced cost.” Using the “Accelerate” supplier model offered by the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Videon launched a three-phase plan.
First, Videon took a hard look at its performance and established specific, measurable goals. By mid-2012, the company had streamlined its operations, resulting in significant operational improvements in quality, on-time deliveries, and capacity. Now, as Videon goes ever leaner with a focus on error proofing and preventative measures, the company was recently recognized at an international QRM conference.
Videon employs 80 and generates nearly $15 million in sales. One of its most recent innovations is aVia, an Android app that allows users to play, manage and share various types of media on multiple devices.
Source: Videon-Central
Writer: Elise Vider
