Best practices for manufacturing performance covered in latest componentof unique online management resource for printing companies.
 
East Rutherford, N.J. – The National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL) has added a new Operations unit to its unique WorkPlan for Success online management program for printers. The new component is the sixth segment in the program, which is built upon the best practices identified through the Association's industry-standard Management Plus System, and is available exclusively to NAPL corporate members.
 
"Maximizing operational efficiency is a critical performance area for today's graphic communications companies, which function in a highly competitive environment," says NAPL President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph P. Truncale, Ph.D. "Our newest WorkPlan for Success component will give company owners and senior managers the information, tools, and techniques they can use to ensure that their company is a highly efficient manufacturing enterprise.
 
"Whether company leaders are interested in adding or improving a quality program, making their operation more environmentally sustainable, or standardizing their plant procedures, the WorkPlan for Success Operations unit will help them implement operations enhancement programs that can make a real difference to their bottom line," adds Truncale. "And, when this unit is combined with our other WorkPlan for Success components in Sales, Financial Management, Strategic Planning, Human Resources, and Leadership, it comprises a complete management guide that helps executives and managers apply best practices to every company area."
 
The Operations unit covers a wide range of topics, including how to gather and work with information on the shop floor, improve manufacturing performance, employ quality programs, maintain industry operations standards, introduce "green" management practices, and manage the company's supply chain. Interactive applications, checklists, and templates guide the WorkPlan for Success user in implementing today's most effective graphic communications operations management practices and procedures.
 
The new section is based on the belief that manufacturing excellence in today's print environment begins with a leadership commitment to a set of principles that have been defined by NAPL's Management Plus Society. These include aligning production efficiency initiatives with overall strategic business goals, establishing good communications and access to accurate information, setting meaningful metrics and goals, taking a workflow perspective, and integrating vendors and customers into a single, efficient workflow.
 
All units of the WorkPlan for Success are available 24/7 by logging on to the members-only section of NAPL's website (www.napl.org), and are updated with new information and worksheets on an ongoing basis. Users may download an entire section, select a pdf version of any individual chapter, or follow links to additional forms, templates, and other information. Members may log in at  https://members.napl.org/AsiCommon/Controls/Shared/FormsAuthentication/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=/members. For assistance in accessing the program, please contact NAPL Membership Coordinator Donna Komlo at (800) 642-6275, Ext. 6345 or [email protected].
 
Webinar Assistance
To help printers make the most effective use of the tools available in the WorkPlan for Success units, NAPL has been presenting a series of free webinars explaining how various concepts can be applied in the workplace and walking attendees through some of the exercises available. During each program, attendees may speak directly with NAPL experts, and members of the NAPL Business Advisory team are always available for one-on-one help.  Webinars are open to both members and non-members.
 
The next WorkPlan for Success webinar will be held on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Eastern Time. It will feature NAPL Vice President Raymond J. Prince, who heads up the association's Technical Consulting Group, in a program titled, "Keeping Your Operation Lean with 5S." Register now for the free webinar at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/387617186.
 
For information on the WorkPlan for Success management program or webinars, contact NAPL Director of Membership Kristen Hartman at (678) 594-0048, Ext. 104, or [email protected].  Or visit http://www.napl.org/NAPL-Membership/MemberPrograms/NAPLWorkplanForSuccess.