How to Use Manufacturing Critical-path Time (MCT) for Continuous Improvement and Lead Time Reduction

Learn to Use QRM’s Precise Metric for Lead Time Measurement

In partnership with industry, the Center for Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM) has developed Manufacturing Critical-path Time (MCT), a precise time-based metric designed to capture how engineering, order processing, manufacturing, raw material procurement and shipping are linked while fulfilling customer orders. The metric allows you to discover new improvement opportunities by highlighting system-wide waste such as stockpiling finished goods and partially completed components.

Speakers from John Deere and the University of Wisconsin-Madison will explain the MCT metric and feature hands-on exercises to demonstrate how to create MCT maps to prioritize opportunities for continuous improvement to support better order fulfillment. Focusing on Manufacturing Critical-path Time has helped companies cut lead times by over 80%, improve on-time delivery to over 99% and reduce costs by 10-15%.

What you will learn:

• Definition of Manufacturing Critical-path Time (MCT)
• Understanding the business impact of MCT reduction: reduced operating costs, improved quality, and better on-time delivery
• How to use MCT to identify opportunities to improve operations in the shop floor, office and supply chain
• “Hands-on” exercises to teach you how to calculate MCT
• Tools for MCT Mapping, including an Excel-based tool available free to attendees
• How MCT analysis focuses and complements your Value Stream Mapping (VSM) efforts
• Using MCT Mapping to communicate opportunities and convince management

Nathan Stoflet

Nathan Stoflet Manages the North American Metal Supply Council of the Agricultural and Turf Division at John Deer Harvester Works in East Moline, Illinois. His areas of expertise include operations management, supply chain management, Lean and Quick Response Manufacturing.  He is a frequent contributor to the QRM Center’s instruction of the Manufacturing Critical-path Time metric.

Nathan started at John Deere as a supplier development engineer in 2003 and in 2006 was appointed supervisor, responsible for aligning and improving supplier order-fulfillment capabilities and providing increased flexibility and responsiveness, improved utilization of assets and lower overall costs.  Prior to joining Deere, he was a continuous improvement engineer at Pella Corporation.

Nathan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and an M.S. in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

James Rink

Dr. Rink brings over 35 years of experience in manufacturing, advanced technology, and operational excellence. Throughout his career, he has led global teams in China, Europe, the US, Mexico, and India, driving collaboration, enhancing manufacturing competitiveness, and achieving exceptional results. His tenure at Caterpillar spanned 31 years, concluding in roles as General Manager and Multi-site Operations Manager. Over the past five years, he has successfully managed his own consulting firm, Integrity 360 Leadership, delivering strategic manufacturing insights to companies such as Oshkosh, McNeilus Truck, and L&T Technology Services (LTTS).

Additionally, Jim has served as an adjunct faculty member at Bradley University, teaching manufacturing processes, and currently serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Colllege of Business' Organizational Leadership department at Lewis University.

Jim has a diverse educational background, holding a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and a master's degree in manufacturing systems engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, an MBA from Northern Illinois University, and a doctorate in Interdisciplinary Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship from Governors State University.

Beyond his professional achievements, Jim is actively involved in his community, serving on the advisory board for the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the Unviersity of Wisconsin–Madison, and holding director roles on his local Workforce Investment Board and regional economic devleopment organization.