UAH’s Office for Operational Excellence recognized by local defense manufacturer

UAH research scientists Joe Paxton and Brian Tucker, center, receive a certificate of appreciation from the TMG team, comprising (l-r) Christi Jackson, Marshall Grenier, Lenny Nitcavic, Daniel Price, Ken Brewer, and Doug Knowles.

Michael Mercier | UAH

At a ceremony held Dec. 14 at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), representatives from Madison-based defense manufacturer Tyonek Manufacturing Group Inc. (TMG) presented certificates of appreciation to Joe Paxton and Brian Tucker, research scientists with UAH’s Office for Operational Excellence (OOE). The pair was recognized for their efforts to help TMG implement a value stream mapping event to reduce the time from new contract award to product shipment, resulting in increased efficiency and competitiveness.

The TMG team spoke highly of the OOE’s expertise in mapping, analyzing, and improving supply chains; its ability to develop and apply continuous improvement techniques; and its flexibility in tackling enterprise-level challenges.

“Through the OOE team’s expertise in value stream mapping, we have recognized operational improvements that will ultimately impact our bottom line,” said Daniel Price, director of strategy for TMG. “The team was knowledgeable, professional, and eager to assist us in identifying solutions to eliminate inefficiencies and maximize our performance.”

Part of UAH’s Research Institute, the non-profit OOE serves as the program manager for Phase II of the Alabama Defense Industry Diversification Project, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and directed by the Alabama Military Stability Foundation and the Alabama Department of Commerce. The project, which seeks to better map the state’s defense industrial base supply chain and provide diversification assistance to small- and medium-sized businesses that support DOD operations, enables companies like TMG to receive no-cost assistance in strategic management planning, sales and marketing support, product or service development, and quality systems and operational efficiency.