Six Sigma at Berkshire

Berkshire began implementing Six Sigma throughout its U.S. manufacturing facilities in the summer of 2003 and since 2004 it is a global initiative practiced at our other locations outside of the U.S. We have completed a number of Six Sigma projects within manufacturing, sales, and the support groups. Along with our Lean Manufacturing training initiative, our employees are participating in ongoing Six Sigma training.

What is Six Sigma?

Six Sigma is customer focused, data driven, robust methodology that utilizes information and statistical analysis to measure and improve a company's operational performance, practices and systems by identifying and preventing defects or gaps in manufacturing and service-related process.

Six Sigma Process Model: DMAIC

Define-Define the project goals and customer (internal and external) deliverables Measure-Measure the process to determine current performance; quantify the problem Analyze-Analyze and determine the root cause(s) of the defect or gap Improve-Improve the process by eliminating defects or gaps Control-Control future process performance

What does this mean?

Six Sigma at Berkshire results in continuous product and customer service improvement, and lower total cost of our products to the customer.