Founded in 1984 in Logan, Utah, Plastic Resources, Inc. (PRI) is a provider of manufactured solutions to companies all over the world. PRI specializes in plastic extrusion, plastic thermoforming, machine tooling and part fabrication, and can take a project from concept to final production, including post-production processes. With clients ranging from semiconductors to aerospace to landscaping, PRI’s modern production methods and dedicated team set them apart from others in the industry.
Project scope
PRI wanted to improve internal processes and reduce material waste in their manufacturing, especially in the plastic extrusion area of the production.
Solution
The PRI leadership team, with the help of the University of Utah Manufacturing Extension Partnership (UUMEP) Center’s trusted third-party provider World Class Transformation, launched a continuous improvement program based on lean principles.
Results
As a result of expert coaching by World Class Transformation, PRI made significant improvements by reducing waste and increasing machine output. All of their employees were also trained on the fundamentals of lean manufacturing.
Impacts
By applying lean concepts, the company was able to:
- Reduce waste by 17% on average per order, saving an estimated $80,000 per year
- Increase productivity on one production line (machine) by 20% per day, saving $44,000 per year in new capacity
Client testimonial
“Our interactions with the UUMEP Center drastically improved our internal processes. Training courses provided an opportunity for open exchange between employees to find solutions to 
problems. The UUMEP Center also facilitated the cultural shift necessary for changes to stick.”
Trent Hagaman, Sales Manager