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How to Implement POLCA
A CARD-BASED PRODUCTION CONTROL STRATEGY
April 11-12, 2012
DoubleTree Hotel
Madison, Wis.
POLCA: a production control strategy for high-mix, low-volume, or custom engineered products
For companies making a high variety of products or offering custom-engineered solutions, implementing flow using pull strategies can be a challenge. Determining the optimal kanban quantities in high-mix environments with demand fluctuations is a complex task. Similarly, implementing takt time concepts presents significant problems for many manufacturers of custom or even one-of-a-kind highly engineered products.
POLCA (Paired-cell Overlapping Loops of Cards with Authorization) is a card-based production control strategy specifically designed for these environments. The hybrid push/pull system effectively overcomes the limitations of pull (kanban) and push (MRP) systems. When implemented in the context of a larger manufacturing strategy based on principles of Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM), POLCA has helped companies significantly reduce inventory and lead times while improving delivery performance and throughput.
What you will learn
- Overview of Quick Response Manufacturing
- Material Planning and Production Control -Limitations of MRP and kanban in high-mix environments
- Detailed Explanation of POLCA: How POLCA works
- Hands-on POLCA Simulation:
Run a factory using kanban and POLCA and
see the difference. - Case Studies of POLCA Implementations
- Stepwise procedure for Implementing POLCA
- Planning your own POLCA Implementation
Complete event brochure for download (PDF)
Registration
To register call us at 608-262-4709 , fill out this registration form and fax it to 608-265-4017 or register right now online
Facilitator
Ananth Krishnamurthy, director of the QRM Center
Fees
$995 (QRM member firms may enroll up to five people at $595 each)
Lodging
DoubleTree Hotel; Call 800-222-8733 or go online by March 12 and request group code HIQ.