Food Processing - December 2007 - (Page 22)

Mars always is working to help its manufacturing teams better meet global demands and the growing intensity of 21st century competition. “We’ve introduced lean manufacturing practices for fast changeover and waste reduction, plus work cell and team concepts, too,” says Dodge. “We want to create an environment where teams from operations and maintenance take full responsibility for things. We’re trying to move from the ‘big factory’ model to a situation where the people who operate the plant own small parts of it.” A team sport In many ways, the seeds were planted long ago. “Our associates have always had a voice, always been involved in decision making,” insists Cass. Furthermore, Mars has cross-trained its managers for decades, bringing along players earmarked for management through a succession of promotions from R&D posts and shift management to plant management and highlevel operations and engineering posts. The mix of product understanding, manufacturing experience and technical understanding pave the way to top management positions. “A position in plant management ranks high in the Mars organization,” says Harald Emberger, vice president-supply chain. “These managers will be our future supply chain leaders or leaders in other parts of the business.” Peanut M&M’S come rolling off the production line at the Hackettstown plant. ogy in the plant but the route to the consumer that makes My M&M’S work,” he says. “Ordering on-line is the ‘enabling’ technology of the past 10 years.” By the end of 2006, My M&M’S had registered more than 325,000 orders, all at a premium price. Mars Direct has since added “My Dove” products, carrying the concept to its premium Dove chocolate line with personalized messages printed on the inner face of the chocolate’s foil wrapper. CANNING • FREEZING • D R Y I N G / D E H Y D R AT I N G • ORGANIC • FRESH CUT • MANUFACTURING FEBRUARY 5 & 6, 2008 For more information visit www.clfp.com http://www.clfp.com http://www.clfp.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Food Processing - December 2007

Contents Editor's Plate NewsBites Rollout Food Biz Kids Processor of the Year: Mars Snackfood U.S. Mass Production Meets Custom Manufacturing Product Development: Bone appetit! Show Report: Pack/Process Expo and Worldwide Food Expo New Product Profiles Toops Scoops

Food Processing - December 2007

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