Lean Training and Implementation Helps Create Impacts for In the Potters Hand
In The Potters Hand
Founded in 2000, In the Potters Hand is a family-owned, farm-based business with facilities located in Wildrose and Crosby, North Dakota. They provide “clean” products that are allergen free.
These unique products were born of necessity after a pesticide poisoning caused severe health problems for their family. Coping with these health problems led them in a diligent search for quality, natural and fragrance-free replacements for the many perfumed and synthetic products they could no longer use.
Disappointed with the natural products they could buy, they eventually developed their own natural skin care line, bath products and insect repellent alternatives. The encouragement from others and the results they have seen has given them the desire to share these products with everyone else who has a need for, or an interest in natural and fragrance-free living. It’s exciting to see what these formulas can do for the comfort and health of skin; everyone of any age can benefit.
It is the mission of "In the Potter's Hand Inc." to provide the highest quality, allergen specific, nontoxic, gluten-free and fragrance-free skincare products, offering consumers an alternative to chemically based commercial brands, and to keep these products both effective and affordable, while observing the following core values in day-to-day operations.
In the Potters Hand had an opportunity to expand and grow their production business and add retail space for their products. They were in the process of moving facilities from Wildrose, ND, to a site location in Crosby, ND. They reached out to Impact Dakota for support optimizing layout and plant flow for operations. Moving into a new facility can have several challenges of what is needed and where to begin.
Impact Dakota provided training of the Lean Manufacturing principles, recommended opportunities for improvement utilizing Lean Principles (5's). They also assisted in using space for inventory for FIFO.
As a result of their investment in training ($20,000); In The Potters Hand realized $15,000 in cost savings, $5,000 in time savings, as well as, an increase in productivity.
In the last few years, we have utilized multiple programs through Impact Dakota. We have not only been shown processes that we can implement but steps to grow and improve our business. Impact Dakota has not only given us tools, procedures, and contacts specifically for the goals within our company but also the confidence that we can reach those once lofty dreams!
Amy Shaw, Business Manager