Team 6 presented recommendations for Cascade Designs, a company founded in 1972 that produces hiking and backpacking equipment out of their Seattle location. They analyzed Cascade Designs' current facility layout and lean principles, noting opportunities to create a value stream map, implement 5S more fully, standardize processes, and redesign the plant layout using lean techniques learned in an operations management course. The presentation concluded that Cascade Designs could increase profitability and efficiency by adopting additional lean principles.

1. Team 6
Aaron Smith
Casey Hansen
Grace Huang
Jake Crist
Lourna Olson

2. Company Overview &
History
 Company founded in 1972 by Jim Lea,
John Burroughs and Neil Anderson
 Located in Seattle, Washington
 Mission Statement:
“Creating quality, innovative products
that strive to exceed customers’
expectations”
 Produces hiking/backpacking equipment

3. Product Family:
Self-Inflating Mattress
 Thermarest
Mattress is lightweight, yet
provides excellent support
and also retains heat
 Polyurethane foam and
coated air tight fabric
(nylon)

4. Current Facility Layout
24-48
hours

6. Current Lean Principles
 Cross-train
employees
 water-spiders
 5S poster

7. Recommendations
 Create Value Stream Map
 Implement 5S
 Consistent material handler
 Standardization of inventory

8. Recommendations Conti
 Implementing pull system
 Creating cell formation
 Re-designing plant layout
 Take OPS 460!!!

9. Conclusion
Although Cascade Designs is a
profitable company, they can
significantly increase their profitability
and efficiency by implementing basic
lean principles
Questions?