Case Study - WIKA Weathers Recession, Bounces Back to Set Sales Records
Client
WIKA Instrument Corporation, a leading international manufacturer of pressure gauges and other critical measurement instruments. WIKA has facilities in Germany, U.S.A., Brazil, China, India, Canada, Poland, Switzerland and South Africa, including major manufacturing operations in Lawrenceville, Ga.; Wloclawek, Poland; and Klingenberg, Germany, where the company is headquartered.
Challenge
After seven years of sales growth bolstered by WIKA’s LeanSigma efforts, the global economic recession caused a double-digit sales decline, which was then followed by record-setting growth in 2010.
Solution
Lean manufacturing practices enabled the company to respond quickly to market declines without being caught holding excessive inventory. Discipline and transparency enabled WIKA to maintain profitability during the global market downturn, and then respond quickly when sales growth returned.
Results
Financial benefits include sales and market share growth, healthy margins and operating cost advantages such as higher productivity, less scrap and lower working capital requirements.
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