Angela Thurman

Manufacturing project managers often find themselves spinning multiple plates at once, launching a new product line, coordinating supplier qualification, and overseeing a facility upgrade, while maintaining quality, schedule, and cost performance. In this high-stakes environment, managing multiple projects isn’t just about keeping track of tasks; it’s about staying calm, focused, and effective amid competing demands. […]

The manufacturing landscape is no stranger to change, from disruptive technologies and economic downturns to global supply chain challenges and shifting customer demands. Yet some companies weather these storms with grace, agility, and resilience. What sets them apart? They’ve embraced the mindset and strategies of future-proofing their business. At Thurman Co., we’ve seen firsthand how

In the fast-paced world of high-volume manufacturing, even a small hiccup can ripple into a costly disruption. When your operation is running at full throttle—whether assembling electronics, machining components, or filling orders on a global scale, proactive risk management becomes a mission-critical function. It’s not just about avoiding disaster; it’s about protecting quality, delivery timelines,

If you’ve ever treated Six Sigma as something reserved for black belts, complex statistics, or only the biggest manufacturing lines, it’s time to reframe it. Six Sigma is, at its core, a disciplined way of thinking that helps teams define problems clearly, measure what matters, and make better decisions faster. You don’t need a full-blown

Manufacturing projects are rarely solo endeavors. Whether launching a new production line, introducing Lean practices, or onboarding a new supplier, these initiatives ripple through every corner of an organization—and often far beyond. Success hinges not just on planning and execution, but on people: the stakeholders who influence, enable, or are impacted by the project. Knowing

In today’s competitive manufacturing environment, organizations continually seek ways to reduce costs and optimize working capital. One of the most direct methods is reducing inventory. However, for many operations leaders, the very thought of cutting stock levels raises concerns about disrupting production flow, creating delays, or disappointing customers. The good news is that inventory reduction

Agile has become something of a buzzword across industries. Originating in software development, Agile emphasizes flexibility, iterative progress, and constant customer feedback. In recent years, manufacturing organizations have begun to experiment with Agile, hoping to capture some of its promise: faster delivery, improved responsiveness, and higher customer satisfaction. But manufacturing isn’t software. The physical world

In today’s complex supply chain environment, supplier onboarding is more than a formality, it’s a strategic process that lays the foundation for successful partnerships. A poorly managed onboarding project can result in delays, compliance risks, and misaligned expectations. But when approached with solid project management (PM) practices, onboarding transforms into a structured, predictable process that

Kaizen events are powerful tools for driving meaningful, sustainable improvements in any organization. Rooted in the Japanese concept of “continuous improvement,” a Kaizen event focuses on solving a specific problem in a short, concentrated time frame, often just three to five days. When led effectively, these events can streamline processes, reduce waste, boost morale, and

Why Some Teams Push Back – and How to Help Them Move Forward For many organizations, implementing 5S is a gateway into Lean thinking. The method is deceptively simple—Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain—yet its effects can be transformative. 5S is often the first hands-on improvement employees experience, especially in manufacturing or warehouse