In response to increased manufacturing demand, BioTek Instruments, Inc., announced that they have partnered with the Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) in support of an ongoing lean methodology training curriculum. The overarching goal of this program is to increase production efficiencies in BioTek’s Winooski facility, thus enabling increased speed and quality of goods for their customers in a variety of scientific research markets. The lean training initiative was funded by the Vermont Training Program of the Department of Economic Development, and is customized to the unique manufacturing methods and requirements of BioTek Instruments.

Lean manufacturing is an approach whereby all phases of a process are systematically investigated to reduce cost, time-of-production, and other waste, resulting in improved quality and productivity. Applying the principles of lean manufacturing, VMEC joined with BioTek’s manufacturing team to map the flow of each process and identify areas for improvement in order of priority. Personnel were also trained on fundamentals of lean manufacturing, optimization in workspace organization, lead-time reduction, and kanban manufacturing methods.

According to Mark Boutin, Manufacturing Operations Manager at BioTek Instruments, the company’s production requirements have escalated year upon year. “We reached a critical capacity, and knew that in order to increase production while maintaining our strict quality standards, we would have to work smarter,” noted Mr. Boutin. “By working with VMEC to apply lean manufacturing principles, our process steps have improved well beyond our expectations.”

The successful integration of lean methodologies into BioTek’s manufacturing area has opened the door for other departments within the organization to implement lean principles, and VMEC is expected to continue their participation with BioTek Instruments for the additional training sessions.

For additional information on the Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center and lean training programs, contact Phil Fagan at 802-828-5235 or email phil@thinkvermont.com.

BioTek Instruments, Inc., headquartered in Winooski, VT, is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture, and sale of microplate instrumentation and software. The BioTek Instruments, Inc. instrumentation is used to accelerate the drug discovery process, to advance discoveries in genomics and proteomics, and to aid in the advancement of life science research.


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