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Cost-Down Team™
Myers Container uses this innovative approach to manage the relationship
with our MCC Alliance™ customers. The Cost Down Team™ system is used to document
continual cost reductions available to both parties.
Cost Down Team™ Overview
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Partnership
Many companies talk about a partnership relationship, but never consider the
vendor as a true partner. That is why Myers Container has developed the Cost-Down Team. |
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Teamwork
By evaluating your operations and quantifying current
expenses, together we build a customer/supplier team to develop a plan to reduce your
packaging costs. |
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Meetings
A regularly scheduled meeting will be set up. At that time, a review of your
current purchases from Myers Container. The analysis will highlight any areas of concern
regarding odd ordering practices or poor inventory control. Each quarterly meeting will be
run with a specific agenda to ensure that the mission of the Cost-Down Team is always on
target. |
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Computer Technology
Spreadsheets will be used to document the activities of the Cost-Down Team. At
Myers Container, we believe that "what gets measured, gets done." By documenting
the successes and failures of the team, this helps to guide the direction for additional
packaging savings. |
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Establishing a
Process As we establish the Cost-Down Team's areas of
importance will be discussed and explored. Some ideas will be better than others. All of
the ideas will be documented. The group will decide which ideas will be developed and
implemented. |
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Waste Reduction
Even just the exercise of reviewing your packaging practices will reduce waste in
your packaging budget. Packaging is often a significant cost of your product with
economics to be gained by eliminating wastes. |
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Leading Edge
Technology Myers
Container wants to bring innovation to your packaging operation. Bar Coding, Electronic
Data Interchange and Ink Jet are all ideas that we can bring to the table when we talk
about packaging in the twenty-first century
New Package Design
Nestable drums, narrow diameters, powdercoating, does Myers Container
have a tool that you may not yet know how to use in your business?
Outsourcing
Could you move your filling and distribution over Myers Container?
Detrashing
Can Myers Container be the one stop shopping for handling all your
packaging wastes such as pallets, shrink wrap, drums, bottles, cardboard, etc.
Barter
Is there some product or service that we may be able to trade? How about
your customers? |
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Success
Myers Container is a Customer-Driven Company. Our success over the years has been
based on listening to our customers. With the highest regard for the customer-supplied
partnership, Myers Container wants to be your packaging company for life! |
Cost Down Team™ Steps to Success
The following steps are used set up a Cost Down Team™ that will
drive down your overall packaging costs by driving inefficiencies out of the container
supply process.
| Step 1 - Cost Down
Team |
Determine the merits of establishing a team
that will drive down packaging costs. Create an achievable goal and establish the team. |
| Step 2 - Building
the Team |
Selecting the team. Picking the right
personnel is a critical part of building the team. Fillers, Drivers, Warehouse personnel,
Regulatory, Packaging Design and even customers may be an asset to establishing the
Cost-Down Team.. |
| Step 3 - The Meeting |
The first meeting is vital to the success of
the team. A location that will establish the foundation for the team should be carefully
planned. A plant tour to show everyone on the team the current operation is generally the
most advantageous way to kick off the Cost-Down Team. |
| Step 4 - Mission
Statement |
After the team is built and a meeting site is
selected, the team should get together to create a mission statement that will drive the
direction of the team, keeping everyone focused to the goal. |
| Step 5 - SPACER |
In order run an effective meeting, the group
should use a meeting format, such as SPACER, to guide the activities of the meeting. |
| Step 6 -
Brainstorming |
After viewing the current operations and
determining the mission statement, it is now time to get down to heart of the Cost-Down
Team.. The reason for establishing this team is to get people to use their
imagination and think "outside of their comfort zone." |
| Step 7 - Organize
and Prioritize |
Myers Container will provide a facilitator to
organize ideas and prioritize areas of improvement. |
| Step 8 - Assign
Responsibilities |
Mini-teams will be established to work on
project areas determined from step 7. A team leader along with a mini-team will be
selected to work on these projects. A mutually agreed upon target date will be set in
order to track results of each team. |
| Step 9 - Project
Management |
The productivity tracking log will be used to
record the projects and assignments given from the meeting. Spreadsheets are available
from Myers Container and can be customized to incorporate your company’s
identification. All projects must be quantified for the savings potential. |
| Step 10 - Meeting
Schedule |
A reasonable meeting schedule will be
determined by the group. The subsequent meetings will be used to summarize the progress of
the project teams assigned from the initial brainstorming meeting. Select a meeting site
and time that continues to stimulate non traditional ideas that will drive down your
packaging costs. |
| Step 11 - Annual
Review |
The success of the Cost-Down Team will be
shared with everyone within both organizations. Sharing improvements will educate and
excite others within your organization. |
Cost Down Team™ SPACER Meeting Format
This system is used to keep all productivity meetings focused on driving
down your packaging cost.
| S Safety |
Safety is everyone’s concern. Every
meeting at Myers Container Corporation is started with a safety tip. |
| P Purpose |
Every meeting must have a purpose. The purpose
should be written down for the entire group to understand the direction. |
| A Agenda |
A written agenda with a timeline is prepared
in advance of every meeting. The group should determine everyone’s role. A Leader,
Facilitator, Timekeeper and a Scribe should be assigned. |
| C Code of Conduct |
The following guidelines should be used at all
meetings.
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- Be prepared.
- Arrive on time.
- Only one person speaks at a time. Don’t interrupt.
- Treat one another with respect.
- Do not insult or make fun of a person by word, gesture or body language.
- No side discussion allowed.
- Be polite.
- Always speak constructively and positively. Do not be negative.
- Stick to the topic.
- Stay alert and pay attention.
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| E Evaluation |
Evaluate the effectiveness of the meeting.
Review the positives and negatives of the meeting so that they can be improved for the
next meeting. Determine the action items for the next meeting. |
| R Recognize -
Schedule |
Recognize the contributions of everyone who
participated in the meeting. Schedule the next meeting time and location. |
Cost Down Team™ Productivity Tracking
At Myers Container, we believe in putting metrics to every aspect of
cost savings. Breaking down major projects into elemental tasks is a way to succeed on
difficult projects. Documenting cost savings is also very important to those outside the
team, such as your peers and managers.
Cost Down Team™
Productivity Tracking Log
| Project |
Task |
Annual Savings |
Status |
| Drop Trailer |
ABC to evaluate |
$3,500 |
Open |
| Palletize Loads |
ABC to sample load |
$12,300 |
Trial |
| Paint Color |
MCC to quote |
unknown |
Open |
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Total Savings: |
$15,800 |
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