Continuous Improvement Principles Evolve into MARKEM Corporation's Corporate Culture.

KEENE, N.H. -- MARKEM Corporation, a trusted world leader in product identification and traceability solutions, has incorporated a Continuous Improvement Program using Lean principles in all levels of its organization, including partnering with customers to develop their own programs.

"Our Continuous Improvement Program tools and events have been an effective way of promoting both use of best practices and team work from our shipping department to top management," said Kris Hill, MARKEM's Director of Quality and Continuous Improvement. "MARKEM's culture is one where continuous improvement is part of everyone's job; the Lean initiative is one aspect of achieving this goal."

The company launched a formal continuous improvement effort in 2000 after many years of separate activities, starting with a set of team leaders and basing it on the Lean principles created by the Toyota Production System. Lean principles include gaining a better understanding of what customers want to pay for; elimination of waste; and developing a company-wide environment for change. The continuous improvement initiative began in the company's operations division in Keene, NH as a way to maintain manufacturing in the U.S. and prevent its migration overseas. However, continuous improvement events quickly extended worldwide into all areas of MARKEM.

Rich Randall, Global Manager of Continuous Improvement at MARKEM, explained the success of the program can be found by looking at some important numbers for the company. Randall said that at the end of 2005, inventory turns had increased by 116 percent, sales had risen 47 percent and productivity had increased by 48 percent.

MARKEM currently holds approximately 100 continuous improvement events per year where the focus is on identifying value for customers while making the company more efficient.

MARKEM Corporation is a trusted world leader in product identification and traceability solutions, offering a full line of reliable and innovative thermal transfer, laser, ink jet and RFID-based systems. With more than 95 years experience on the factory floor, MARKEM delivers fully integrated solutions that enable product quality and safety, regulatory and retailer compliance, better product recalls and improved manufacturing processes. Headquartered in Keene, New Hampshire, the company has additional development and manufacturing facilities in San Diego, California, Nottingham, England, and Schoten, Belgium, with subsidiary companies, distributors, and representatives in over 50 countries.