CNI Manufacturing

For some, a word meaning “putting stuff together”, conjures up images of an automobile assembly line where vehicles are slowly but efficiently assembled.

Manufacturing, in basic terms, is to take various raw materials and combine them in a planned manner to produce a finished product. In Marietta, this is exactly what CNI Manufacturing does.

Many of us observed first hand the effect the Japanese automobile producers had on the big “3” in the United States. Not only was quality a huge differentiator but increased productivity allowed the Japanese to lower production costs, thereby changing the automobile industry. In simple terms, the Japanese successfully embraced and implemented lean manufacturing techniques.

In order to meet the higher demands of our customers and remain competitive, our processes have also changed. Lean manufacturing simplifies processes so that the basic raw materials required are used to produce the required finished goods. Sounds simple but in reality it requires a combination of the right organization, scheduling, processes, flexibility, and, most important, the right people to complete the task. Advantages of this process are increased productivity, higher quality, and ultimately, lower costs.

In Marietta, we have embraced this lean manufacturing concept in order to stay competitive and to meet the challenges of our customer requirements and varying products. With a commitment to optimizing our capabilities, we’ve enhanced the concept by developing “cells” where we concentrate materials, equipment, and skills in a single process to complete the manufacturing of the product. Not only are we then competitive, but we are extremely flexible to meet the different product requirements. This is why you can see “Frac” tanks, dental chairs, material handling equipment, security barriers, and various other products produced in our operation with the same equipment, at the same facility, and by the same people.

Although the concept allows us to be competitive, it is our people who really allow it to work. With the tools we have provided them, such as “lean cells”, our people in Marietta have optimized success.