NEW YORK--March 7, 2012: Alcoa announced today it was named a 2013 Manufacturing Leadership 100 Award (ML100 Award) winner in the Information Leadership Category by the Manufacturing Executive and Manufacturing Leadership Council. The awards honor companies and individuals that are shaping the future of global manufacturing. Alcoa was recognized for its SMART Manufacturing project implemented across several of its Global Primary Metals locations.
“Adopting SMART Manufacturing can eliminate or greatly reduce much of the manual data entry and paper routing, allowing the workforce to dedicate more time to productive operations or valued added work activities”
The Alcoa SMART Manufacturing project ties together information from all production and business sources within a plant and across the enterprise with a comprehensive, common technical architecture. In traditional manufacturing processes, data is often in many locations, not easily accessible and frequently in multiple versions. The SMART Manufacturing concept provides a common platform and tools, real-time data, and transparency, resulting in improved productivity, process improvements and lower costs.
"The challenges to stay competitive as a manufacturer are never ending," said Phil Morrissette, Chief Information Officer, Alcoa Global Primary Products. "Now, more than ever, improvements in process optimization and manufacturing performance are essential for competitive advantage in the marketplace. In simplest terms, the Alcoa SMART Manufacturing program is a robust system of compiling data to help target problems and more quickly identify solutions.
"Adopting SMART Manufacturing can eliminate or greatly reduce much of the manual data entry and paper routing, allowing the workforce to dedicate more time to productive operations or valued added work activities," Morrissette added.
SMART Manufacturing was deployed across six Alcoa locations in 2012; another six locations are scheduled for deployment this year.
ML100 winners in the Information Leadership category were selected based on specific project criteria including process and business impact, benefit to the bottom line, strategic value, and use of information technology as an enabler.
As a result of becoming an ML100 winner, Alcoa is now eligible for the program's High Achievers Award in the Information Leadership category as well as the 2013 Manufacturer of the Year Award and/or 2013 Project of the Year Award. Winners will be announced at a gala honoring the ML100 award winners on May 15 in Palm Beach, Florida.