WEB EXCLUSIVE - Terex to roll out new process
16 March 2009
Terex is to roll out a new structured product identification and process development system in the next two weeks to bring new equipment to market quicker and more efficiently.
Speaking to iC at the World of Asphalt Show in Orlando, Florida, US, Jim Holland, product manager for Terex Roadbuilding said, "The road building division has now fully adopted the New Product Identification (NPI) and New Product Process Development (NPPD) programs, and the same systems will be launched across the Group within the next fortnight."
"The NPI system means the company can now put resource to project timetable rather than running projects time-scaled by the team as was the case in the past," said Mr Holland. "Additionally, the NPPD system means that we have a structured method from concept to completion that is reviewed at every step along the way.
"This will offer real benefits as we'll be able to establish if we delivered what we set out to deliver and if in that we satisfied customer demand. Furthermore, the NPPD process means that we now have the systems in place to amend or pull a project at any stage, should the markets change or should we feel that a project's not matching its aims," explained Mr Holland.
The NPPD system covers the entire manufacturing process from conceptual business proposal through statistical review, feasibility, product development, testing and validation, launch and post launch and at each stage the whole project is reviewed.
"Through adopting NPI and NPPD we're going down the road together with our customers," said Mr Holland. "We're using a cross-functional team to ensure our goals are aligned on each project, and this represents a real step forwards for Terex. We are now in a position to deliver new products in a far more targeted and efficient manner and this will offer real benefits to our customers."