Defined as the total process of converting a line or process from one product to another, changeover will not only help your organization improve quality and flexibility, but it will save thousands and sometimes even tens of thousands of dollars per hour.Achieving Lean Changeover: Putting SMED to Work is about the practical implementation of the single minute exchange of die (SMED) philosophy developed by Shigeo Shingo at Toyota. Although the book is principally about changeover of manufacturing, packaging, and assembly processes, the general concepts and examples are also applicable in lighter industries that require turnover of processes including airlines, hospitals, operating rooms, and food service.Filled with practical examples, the book shares proven methods that can help you convert changeover downtime to productive uptime. It explains why reducing changeover time is important financially and provides a structured methodology to help you identify and implement improvement opportunities.The author addresses both the machinery issues with changeover/ SMED and the associated operational issues such as costs, waiting times, material movement, documentation, and product/component design. He also devotes a chapter to discussing, in detail, how to calculate the cost of changeover downtime, an area that remains a mystery to many.Taking a holistic approach to changeover, the text includes a chapter devoted to organizing changeover improvements, keeping them on track, and developing and implementing a formal changeover reduction program. Presenting time-tested methods and practical examples from a variety of industries, it offers you the opportunity to reduce changeover time and cost and provide your organization with the flexibility needed to better satisfy your customers in three important dimensions: product variety, responsiveness, and price.

Defined as the total process of converting a line or process from one product to another, changeover will not only help your organization improve quality and flexibility, but it will save thousands and sometimes even tens of thousands of dollars per hour. Achieving Lean Changeover: Putting SMED to Work is about the practical implementation of the single minute exchange of die (SMED) philosophy developed by Shigeo Shingo at Toyota. Although the book is principally about changeover of manufacturing, packaging, and assembly processes, the general concepts and examples are also applicable in lighter industries that require turnover of processes-including airlines, hospitals, operating rooms, and food service. Filled with practical examples, the book shares proven methods that can help you convert changeover downtime to productive uptime. It explains why reducing changeover time is important financially and provides a structured methodology to help you identify and implement improvement opportunities. The author addresses both the machinery issues with changeover/ SMED and the associated operational issues such as costs, waiting times, material movement, documentation, and product/component design. He also devotes a chapter to discussing, in detail, how to calculate the cost of changeover downtime, an area that remains a mystery to many. Taking a holistic approach to changeover, the text includes a chapter devoted to organizing changeover improvements, keeping them on track, and developing and implementing a formal changeover reduction program. Presenting time-tested methods and practical examples from a variety of industries, it offers you the opportunity to reduce changeover time and cost and provide your organization with the flexibility needed to better satisfy your customers in three important dimensions: product variety, responsiveness, and price.

Finally, a comprehensive book about packaging machinery.

The Packaging Machinery Handbook is the first book covering the range of packaging machinery in common use. It includes chapters on filling, capping, labeling, cartoning, inspecting and more. The chapter on packaging line design provides a framework for developing a new packaging line from initial idea to production.

More than 120 illustrations allow readers to see inside the machines and what makes them tick. A companion website at www.packmachbook.com includes links to hundreds of videos of these machines in action.

The book is designed for the newcomer who wants to learn about machinery, for the package designer who needs to understand how their package will be produced and for the seasoned professional who wants a handy reference.

What the experts are saying:

"Experience is the best teacher. But if you can't wait 10 years and don't want to learn the hard way, read John Henry's Packaging Machinery Handbook Through a fast-moving conversational writing style - from big-picture "here's why it's done" to nitty-gritty "here's how it's done" - John transfers his extensive packaging knowledge nearly as effortlessly as a Vulcan mind-meld."

Lisa McTigue Pierce, packaging journalist since 1982

"From his wealth of practical experience, John has put together a great resource for anyone who is thinking about buying a piece of packaging machinery or who is engaged in putting together a packaging operation. It will help even the most seasoned veterans avoid some common pitfalls."

Larry Luciano, President, Luciano Packaging Technology

"John Henry's Packaging Machinery Handbook will be the definitive work he day it is published. This is the book we in the field will reach for when we need insight into packaging machinery. His technical integrity gives us a book of great utility. This book is first rate and badly needed. Bravo to John Henry "

Iver Phallen, President, Oden Corporation

Machinery Matters is a collection of articles and columns that noted packaging expert John Henry wrote for Food & Beverage Packaging Magazine between 2001 and 2010. These articles are based on John's extensive field experience and problem solving know-how. They provide practical ideas for solving common packaging and packaging machine problems.