Nimco Portugal will be closed during the following periods: Summer holidays - August 14 to 28 You will receive further informa�on on delivery deadlines during this period.
20 | 2017
Holiday in Portugal - October 5th
> ISVouga visit and tour The contact between the corporate world and the universi�es usually results in great achievements for both par�es. This sort of collabora�on helps companies benefit from the academic methods and disciplines for, for example, innova�on processes and it also means that it is an opportunity to capture talented people as they reveal their skills. On the other side, colleges benefit from the experience of the real world and can arrange the earliest work experiences for their students. Last March 28, we welcomed a group of students from ISVouga, from the programme Top Skills for a factory tour and small class in our organiza�on. This
class was presented by our COO - Olav Toornend, Marke�ng Manager, Dionísia Pereira; Human Resources Manager Patrícia Fernandes and Plant Manager, Alfredo Ramos. The presenta�on men�oned the themes that compose NM4Y’s modern day approach on the shoe industry: Lean Management, MCO concept, ’The Shoe of the future’ conceptual exercise and finally our human resources policy. In the end and a�er this whole a�ernoon of interchange of experiences, both ins�tu�ons benefited, as you can read at page 2. Visit: h�p://www.isvouga.pt/
Nimco team members, with red coats (from le� to right): Patrícia Fernandes, Olav Toornend, Alfredo Ramos and Dionísia Pereira
MasterClass the future of Shoemaking Emiel Kistemaker and Olav Toornend
NM4Y is an official partner of:
> COMMUNICATION CENTRE
PT GERMANY
Anabela Carvalho: +351 256 810 472 E: anabela.carvalho@nm4y.com NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM & SCANDINAVIA
Maria Soares: +351 256 810 476 E: maria.soares@nm4y.com
NIMCO MADE4YOU NETHERLANDS
Olav Toornend: +31 6 534 13 252 E-mail: o.toornend@nm4y.com Frans Kruitwagen: +31 6 225 62 966 E-mail: f.kruitwagen@nm4y.com Stephan Kruitwagen: +31 6 233 31 941 E-mail: s.kruitwagen@nm4y.com
Copy and photography: Mariska Van Vondelen, Olav Toornend and Dionísia Pereira Design concept: Dionísia Pereira Art: Dionísia Pereira 500 copies: printed in Inaset recycled paper Copyright: are property or under licence of Nimco Made4You and are protected under copyright law.
Last May 16 and 30, NM4Y presented a Masterclass on MCO, at the Nimco Headquarters, in Berg en Dal. The shoe technicians a�ending were taught how the MCO concept works and how it is an alterna�ve to tradi�onal methods of shoemaking for special feet. The programme included making tradi�onal measuring and using the APP, Nimco Professional Shoe Sizing System. On May 30 there was a second half to verify the work with the
delivery of the pairs made using the MCO Concept. On this second day, the subject was to explain the possibili�es of MCO with children shoes. Rob Jansen from Loopvisie gave an interes�ng presenta�on where the pros and cons of the method were explained in a clear way. Nimco also delivered the MCO pairs that were assessed and measured in the first session. Two clients, different pairs, different solu�ons and great results. MCO is the future of orthopaedic shoes.
Contents MCO Masterclass - 1 Nimco is now MCO , Through the eyes of a stranger - 2 Interview Alfredo Ramos- 3 Calendar, Isvouga - 4
>
3 2 4
11 1
10 6
7 Loca�on of the new modules
3. People & Partners – leadership, transparency, respect, team, responsibility A Lean organization will create conditions for the development of the team, in strict line with principals of respect and equity.
4. Problem solving – learn and improve, con�nuously improvement For Nimco a problem is a challenge. Problem solving, in is many approaches, drives the Lean organization in a virtuous circle of improvement. Systematically asking “why”, seeking the answers and improving step by step. Thinking out of the box and promote sharing of ideas, involve all organization in events like the 5S´s and the Circle of Trust are main drivers of the solutions of many many challenges.
What is your main achievement during these three years Nimco work following the Lean principles? “I believe the four points mentioned before were successfully fulfilled. The main challenge in this three years was to lead the company to the cultural change that a Lean Implementation requires. - The organization has grown from 90 to 150 employees. - The general efficiency has grown significantly. - The flexibility of the company has developed. - The implementation of projects like the new building, the 5S´s, the Internal Deadline, the auto control and the strategic circle of trust were and will continue to be the main drivers for the future. It is with pride that I can say, in the behalf of my team and myself, that we have achieved a maturity that surely will be the ground foundation for the development of our organization in the coming years.”
“For Nimco Lean is our way of life and at this moment it is in our DNA. Choosing for Lean management Nimco puts the customer in the center of all production decisions.”
> Tes�monial - Alexandra Azevedo, Marke�ng trainee
What does the customer of Nimco wants and what has changed since Nimco decided to work according to Lean in the last three years? “In the last three years, with the cultural change implemented, placing the customer in the centre of our activity allowed the creation of a continuous flow. And with the implementation of the internal deadline project we were able to ensure the fulfilment of deadlines and improve general efficiency.”
Immediately, I thought: Who paints a factory completely in white?”.
VA LU E S O F T H E CO M PA N Y
As a matter of fact, I did need to start my internship, so, being so impressed by the company I applied to make it here. What made me decide to do so, was the fact that Nimco is the ideal company to apply all subjects I studied on my degree in Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations, and most of all, apply the theory into the business reality. The first days have been very positive. I had the chance to spend some time in each section of the factory, and got to know a little of what they make. At the Marketing Department, I hope to contribute in a positive way, specially to Nimco’s online communication and contribute for a greater proximity to clients.”
Q UA L I T Y
O P E R AT I O N A L E XC E L L E N C E
I M P R O V E M E N T S T R AT E G Y STANDARDIZATION - PROTOCOLS AND SOP
5S
SMED ORGANIZATION
5 WHY’S
5S
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
MISSION VISION
“When ISVOUGA suggested that I would visit a shoe factory, in my mind an idea started to form. I thought I would find dozens of shoes, all the same, mass production. I thought I would smell a strong scent of glue, see leather and materials everywhere. But visiting NIMCO was the opposite. When I entered the building, I noticed that was a place full of light, and that the light was reflected on the white floor and walls. During the visit, I understood that each pair of shoes was unique, and the mass production was a concept that had no place in this factory. Besides that, I found a clean and organized space where employees worked with love for shoes and for this company. I realized I wasn’t in a common shoe factory, but in a company where people build pieces of art that can be put on and improve the quality of life and their client’s health.
2. Process – eliminate non-value added, focus on customer, professional Lean manufacturing seeks to reduce stocks to highlight the hidden causes of inefficiency. And through their removal the company will operate at levels more and
This is the principle applied in our new factory. Everything is transparent and white. For the team this means that there is no difference between us, shop floor or management. We are one. Awareness and responsibility are things that we take very seriously as we believe that it is the right path for growing.
What does Lean mean for Nimco?
Through the eyes of a stranger On March 28, NM4Y was visited by the ISVouga, a nearby college. Among the visitors there was a girl who would become the next to enter NM4Y’s training programme. Alexandra Azevedo is now finishing her major in Marke�ng, Adver�sing and Public Rela�ons. Just out of curiosity, we have asked her first impressions on what she has seen at Nimco:
1. Philosophy - long term thinking, successful together, mission, vision Three years ago the team of NM4Y built this house. This construction is the key to our strategy development into a Lean organization. It is the foundation of our own Nimco circle of improvement.
more controlled allowing a competitive advantage. It is based on four principals: Pull - Produce to order not to stock, this minimizes over production and inventory and ultimately working capital; One piece flow – working one piece at the time, this minimizes working in process and creates conditions to flexibility of your staff; Takt – It´s the heart beating of the company, how fast you must produce to meet your customers demand for lead time; Zero defects – mistakes happen but a Lean company systematically will reduce this mistakes.
PRODUCTION
5
What is Lean? “Lean is an approach centred on customers that seek to identify and systematically eliminate operational business ‘wastes ‘. It delivers value from your costumer´s perspective by eliminating waste and by continuously improving your process:
D E L I V E RY
>
Alfredo Ramos entered Nimco Portugal on December 2013. His briefing was very strict: to bring this factory into the future using his exper�se in Lean Management. Let’s read on how he did this:
NM4Y is now MCO
In the last year NM4Y has been working with its MCO (Modular Concept Orthopaedics) concept. The MCO concept is a completely different way of looking at your pa�ent’s feet. In the images, you see the last (represen�ng the foot) divided in modules. These modules represent areas of the foot that need altera�ons or extra space. This combina�on of altera�ons mean infinite ways of adap�ng for be�er fit. It also mean that there is no need to start a long las�ng, complex and expensive fully custom made last and shoe process. Stay a�en�ve as we will announce new dates for the masterclasses soon.
20 | 2016
CO S T
>
Interview - Alfredo Plant manager & Lean Expert > A true storyRamos about shoes
Alfredo would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have supported him on this path.