Manufacturing Assistance Program Recently, the CNYTDO launched its SITE assessment program. The acronym "SITE" stands for "Services to Improve your Technical Edge," and this perfectly and concisely explains the aim of the program. A trained team from CNYTDO contracts with a manufacturer to complete an assessment of that company's operations. This team has broad manufacturing experience and brings a fresh, unbiased perspective to the business that will help identify areas where there are opportunitites to improve quality, productivity, profitability, and overall competitiveness. The team focuses on: Current facility optimization-increased machine effectiveness, improved quality, cost reduction, market expansion, lead-time reduction, process-flow improvement, and increased inventory turns Strategic planning Opportunities to introduce affordable technology in a prioritized manner Following a documented, step-by-step procedure, the assessment team first familiarizes itself with the company, its products, and its market. Then the team tours the plant, and talks with leaders in such departments as manufacturing, marketing, planning, quality control, estimating, accounting, production, sales, and engineering. Interviews are individual and private. A final report is presented to those interviewed and is confidential to that group. This report includes findings and recommendations for action. The team stays in touch with the company, as it shares the report with its employees and implements the team's suggestions. The team is also available to the company for assistance in implementing the changes. All this is available to small to mid-sized manufacturers at a reasonable consulting cost. For more information, contact Cindy Oehmigen, Glen Chwala or Sue Kuhns at the CNYTDO at 315.425.5144 or e- mail: mail@tdo.org