Archive for 'Press Releases'
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Information:
Scott Whitlock
President
317.813.5411
scott.whitlock@flexwareinnovation.com
9128 Technology Lane
Fishers, IN 46038
Medical Device and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Series Announced
Fishers, IN – March 10, 2005 – The Indiana Health Industry Forum, in conjunction with Purdue University’s Krannert Executive Education Programs, Flexware Innovation, and Camstar Systems, announces a series of seminars aimed at pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers. The series consists of three sessions geared for Manufacturing, Quality, and Regulatory Executives and their teams, and will address preserving good business practices by fusing technology with compliance requirements.
Joseph Vinhais of Campbell, CA will facilitate the three sessions. Vinhais, a nationally-recognized presenter and author, is one of the country’s leading authorities on the subject of Regulatory Compliance.
“Joseph has spent the last ten years educating executives of FDA Regulated manufacturers,” noted Scott Whitlock, President and CEO of Flexware. “Participants will benefit from his insight in balancing manufacturing processes and FDA compliance in an effort to cut costs and improve efficiency.”
All sessions are being held at Purdue University’s Office of Engagement at Intech Park on Indianapolis’ west side. Each session will be held from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. The first session on March 23, 2005 is entitled, “Risk Management in Life Science Manufacturing.” On April 19, Vinhais will discuss “The Perfect Device/Batch History Record – Electronic: Static vs Dynamic.” The final session, “The Cost of Compliance – Linking Compliance to Business Performance Drivers of Life Science Manufacturing,” will be held May 19.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Information:
Scott Whitlock
President
317.813.5411
9128 Technology Lane
Fishers, IN 46038
Flexware Innovation Assists AME
with 2004 Plant Tour
Fishers, IN – October 11, 2004 – The Great Lakes Region of the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME) announces the fourth annual “Made in Indiana” World Class Manufacturing Tour, Thursday, December 2, 2004. This year’s tour will highlight Lafayette’s Kirby Risk Service Center and Caterpillar’s Lafayette Engine Center (LEC). The tour historically honors a firm’s success in Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma quality efforts.
Jim Orbik, President of AME’s Great Lakes Region, explains, “This is a unique tour. Not only are these two organizations achieving excellence, they are closely coupled within the supply chain.” Orbik also serves as Vice President of Operations for Utilimaster in Wakarusa, IN.
The Kirby Risk Service Center is located behind the Caterpillar engine plant and provides engineered controls systems, wiring harnesses and sub-assemblies to Caterpillar. Kirby Risk was Caterpillar’s first just-in-time, engine-specific supplier in the world, managing up to 15,000 different configurations with each harness.
Kirby Risk representatives will begin the tour at the Caterpillar Welcome Center with a presentation highlighting their Lean and Six Sigma transformation. Through a combination of improvement initiatives, the Service Center cut costs to compete with suppliers in Mexico and around the globe. Initiatives led to a 40% improvement in production output and a 30% recapture of physical space.
Caterpillar’s LEC campus includes a 1.3 million square foot manufacturing facility, which produces 3 families of Caterpillar engines. Approximately 90% of LEC’s business is configured to order.
In the spring of 2001, Caterpillar employed the use of Six Sigma for its process improvement and process creation methodologies. Project goals within these methodologies were to reduce manufacturing costs, improve customer responsiveness, improve employee satisfaction, and increase product quality.
In 2003, the LEC established a continuous improvement strategy utilizing Lean Six Sigma to identify waste prioritized by the use of Value Stream Mapping (VSM). After identifying and prioritizing potential improvements, individual projects were launched to eliminate waste and improve the overall process. Goals of these individual projects were typically related to reducing work in-process inventory, lead-time, cycle time, manufacturing costs and/or increasing efficiencies.
“These are two bright spots in Indiana manufacturing,” said Scott Whitlock, AME’s Great Lakes Region Vice President of Marketing and tour organizer. “There’s so much talk about the crisis in Indiana manufacturing. We are hoping for a great turnout to show the State that excellence can be achieved, even in light of global competition.” Whitlock is also President and CEO of Flexware Innovation, Inc. in Fishers, Indiana.
Each plant tour will begin with an introductory presentation, followed by an in-depth tour of the facilities, and end with a question-and-answer session. Tour participants will be asked to submit one idea for improvement to both companies.
The price of the tour is $200 for AME members and $325 for non-members, which includes 1-year AME membership.
Tour Agenda
Thursday, December 2, 2004
8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Registration – Caterpillar Welcome Center
8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Welcome and announcements
8:45 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Kirby Risk Presentation
9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Travel (by bus) to Kirby Risk facility on Caterpillar property
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Kirby Risk Service Center Plant Tour
11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Travel back to Caterpillar Facility
11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Q&A on KR facility
11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch
12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Caterpillar Presentation
1:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Caterpillar Plant Tours (multiple smaller groups)
2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Wrap-up and Q&A on CAT tours
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Information:
Scott Whitlock
President
317.813.5411
9128 Technology Lane
Fishers, IN 46038
Flexware Raises $68,000 for
Habitat for Humanity
Fishers, IN – September 2, 2004 – Flexware Innovation, Inc. raised $68,000 to fund a Hamilton County Habitat for Humanity home. Flexware employees accepted the challenge at an all-company meeting on July 14, 2004. The company matched the first $5,000 raised get the effort started.
“We knew from the outset that the employees of Flexware would not be able to raise this money alone,” said Dwayne Butcher, one of Flexware’s fund raiser organizers. “We talked about needing an army of people to help in the effort.”
The company formed a campaign entitled, “The Technology Lane Challenge,” named after the street on which Flexware’s headquarters is located. The campaign challenged the numerous companies surrounding Flexware to participate. The Indianapolis Star learned of the campaign and wrote an article detailing the efforts.
Keith Tyner, an executive with LPL Financial Services, read the article in the Star and contacted Butcher to discuss how he could be involved. “I was excited that someone responded after reading the article, but when Keith told me he would match up to $35,000,
I was stunned,” explained Butcher.
With matching funds in place, Flexware’s staff began asking individuals to participate through donations. Ronda McClurg, Flexware’s Manager of Partner Relations, joined Butcher in organizing and executing the campaign. The company’s employees made individual donations and asked up to 10 others to do the same. As a result of that challenge, a Flexware employee’s friend donated $5,000 to the campaign.
Many companies on Technology Lane, joined the effort. The Fieldhouse, Deveaus Gym, Charles Schwab, and MCL Window Coverings were initial participants.
Butcher explains, “Charles Schwab was instrumental in helping us raise the $68,000. They donated $10,000 from their corporate office, which was then matched.” In addition, Diane Jacobs of Charles Schwab organized and hosted a hotdog lunch for the office park that raised over $1,400. CallTech Communications purchased more than 120 lunches for its staff and Netfor, Inc. did the same for its 30 employees.
“The army we talked about in the beginning was just that,” Butcher said. “Fast Signs in Castleton donated several signs for the fund raiser. The Indianapolis Colts donated a Brandon Stokley autographed football. CPS Corrugated Packaging donated 50-yard line tickets to a Colts game and dinner at an upscale restaurant. These donations were packaged together and used in a raffle.”
The raffle was promoted by “Jersey Johnny,” a 1070AM-WIBC broadcaster, on his weekly Colts and sports call-in show. The raffle raised over $1,200.
Offsetting some of the cost, MCL Window Coverings donated blinds for seven Habitat homes. Kinder Electric provided or facilitated electrical services for seven homes, equaling $14,700 in in-kind donations.
Some efforts still continue, so Butcher remains hopeful that the full $70,000 will be raised.
Butcher summarized, “Before we started this campaign, I thought Habitat was simply a nice organization doing nice things for people. In reality, they help break the cycle of poverty that a family has lived in. It impacts the family’s future, especially the children. That benefits the entire community.”
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About Flexware Innovation, Inc.
Flexware was founded in 1996 by Scott Whitlock and is now employee-owned. The software development company found a niche in manufacturing by connecting the increasingly automated plant floor with existing business and accounting systems. Flexware employs more than 30 manufacturing systems professionals and support staff, serving clients in the pharmaceutical, medical device, assembly, and automotive industries.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Information:
Scott Whitlock
President
317.813.5411
scott.whitlock@flexwareinnovation.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
9128 Technology Lane
Fishers, IN 46038
Flexware Innovation Establishes
Advisory Board
Fishers, IN – March 1, 2004 – Flexware Innovation, Inc., a Fishers-based manufacturing services provider, established an Advisory Board in February. The 7 member board, consisting of executives from a variety of industries, is charged with advising the company in strategic business and operational development.
“We selected this group because they share our passion to strengthen manufacturing in Indiana and beyond,” explained Scott Whitlock, Flexware’s founder and CEO. “With the rate at which things change in the new economy, you must be surrounded by successful people that help you stay agile and responsive. That’s what this team will do.”
The Advisory Board consists of the following:
Michael A. Evans
President & CEO
CHORUS, Inc.
Mike Evans brings executive and entrepreneurial experience to the CHORUS team. Before founding CHORUS, Mike was a principal of the Dodson Group, an Indiana-based enterprise that quickly found a place on Inc. Magazine’s list of the nation’s 500 fastest growing privately held companies. Previous professional experience includes strategic human resource assignments with General Motors and Eli Lilly and Company.
In addition to his work at CHORUS, Mike is a member of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and serves on the Board of Advisors for the Kelly School of Business, Indiana University Purdue University campus.
Mike has received several honors for his successful entrepreneurship, community service, and academic achievements. He was a finalist in both 1994 and 1995 for Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by Inc. Magazine and Ernst & Young LLP.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University and is a graduate of the Indiana Entrepreneurship Academy.
Ronald K. Fauquher
Senior Vice President
Ontario Systems, LLC
Mr. Ronald K. Fauquher is the co-founder of Ontario Systems, LLC along with partner Mr. Wilbur R. Davis. The company produces receivables management software and integrated computer telephony systems for nationwide customers in revenue recovery, health care and financial management industries and has grown from the original two employees to one of Indiana’s largest software concerns employing over 390 technology professionals in Muncie, Indiana, Berlin, Ohio and Cle Elum, Washington. In 1985, Ontario Systems became affiliated with Ontario Corporation as a wholly owned subsidiary. In August, 2003 Mr. Davis and Mr. Fauquher led a leveraged management buyout of Ontario Systems Corporation from Ontario Corporation forming a new independent company named Ontario Systems, LLC.
After serving seventeen years as Ontario Systems chief operating officer Mr. Fauquher moved to Ontario Corporation, then the parent company of Ontario Systems, and served as Senior Vice President with corporate wide management responsibilities including finance, information and technology, human resources, corporate facilities, flight operations, community and government affairs, property management, risk management, new business development and corporate acquisitions. In this capacity, Mr. Fauquher served as an operating officer liaison to Ontario’s manufacturing and laboratory subsidiaries serving the semiconductor equipment, medical equipment, oil industry and aviation markets. Over the past four years Mr. Fauquher led five acquisition teams in the United States and United Kingdom acquiring and integrating additional laboratory and manufacturing subsidiaries into the Ontario family of companies.
Mr. Fauquher has served on the board of directors of Ontario Systems Corporation, Sherry Laboratories, Inc., CDS Leopold, Inc., the Ontario Corporation Foundation and was President of Ontario Development Corporation a wholly owned subsidiary of Ontario Corporation. Mr. Fauquher also serves on the board of directors of First Merchants Bank where he serves as Audit Committee Chair.
Today Mr. Fauquher leads the research and development efforts of Ontario Systems, LLC coordinating software development, quality assurance, software distribution and new product development at Ontario Systems Indiana, Ohio and Washington offices. Mr. Fauquher is a member of the Board of Managers of Ontario Systems, LLC.
Before the creation of Ontario Systems Mr. Fauquher held a variety of engineering and technology management positions with General Motors Corporation at Guide Lamp Division in Anderson, Indiana and the GM Technical Center in Warren, Michigan. Before co-founding Ontario Systems Mr. Fauquher served as the Corporate Director of General Motors Corporation’s Computers in Manufacturing Committee responsible for corporate wide technology applications and corporate wide technology transfer for over 400 General Motors facilities. Mr. Fauquher holds a B.S. degree from Purdue University in Industrial Management (1973) and a M.A. degree from Ball State University in Management (1978).
Don Gentry
Vice Provost for Engagement, Retired
Purdue University
Dr. Don K. Gentry has been a faculty member and administrator at Purdue University for the past twenty one years; serving as the first director of the Purdue Statewide Technology Program, from 1983 to 1987; as Dean of the School of Technology from 1987 to 2001; he was appointed Vice Provost for Engagement for the University in August of 2001 with responsibility for providing leadership for the university’s outreach and engagement functions including continuing education and conferences, technical assistance, new business development services, educational partnerships, community development and corporate relations. He serves on boards and committees for numerous national, state and local economic development and professional organizations. He has had 40 years of experience in education, economic and workforce development in Indiana. Prior to joining Purdue University, he served as Executive Officer/State Director of Vocational and Technical Education for the Indiana State Board of Vocational and Technical Education for sixteen years. His leadership in technical education and economic development has been recognized at the state and national level. He is a nationally recognized speaker and author in the field of technical education, workforce and economic development.
Dr. Gentry is married, has three grown children (all Purdue graduates) and seven grandchildren. He holds BS and MS degrees from Purdue University, a Doctor of Education Administration degree from Indiana University and an honorary Doctorate from Vincennes University. He holds the honors as a State of Indiana “Sagamore of the Wabash” and as a Distinguished Hoosier.
Todd Lugar
Adjunct Fellow
Hudson Institute
Todd R. Lugar is the former president of Thomas L. Green, LLC, an Indianapolis based manufacturer of specialized capital equipment for the cookie, cracker, and snack food industries. His responsibilities included general business and financial operations, with particular emphasis on strategic international marketing. He was an integral part of the company’s recent successful merger with a complementary manufacturing firm located in Pennsylvania. Lugar is also involved in many local initiatives concerning the promotion of international trade, regional economic development, and non-profit community service. He is a founder of the Global Crossroads Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization concentrating on coordinated international activity. Lugar contributes to Hudson’s work in the areas of advanced manufacturing, and community strategic planning.
Lugar’s career includes experience in the institutional securities industry with Merrill Lynch, corporate finance activity concentrating on financial institutions with a regional securities firm, in addition to the manufacturing industry. Lugar is also heavily involved with civic organizations within the Indianapolis regional community and will become president of the Indianapolis Rotary Club in July 2003, one of the 10 largest Rotary clubs in the world.
Lugar holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management/Finance from Purdue University.
Publications and Media Exposure: Lugar has contributed on many occasions to the media within the snack food industry. He has appeared in the Indianapolis Star and the Indianapolis Business Journal on manufacturing and international trade issues. Lugar has also appeared in local print and television media relative to his civic work.
Dr. George Rapp, MD
Retired Entrepreneur and Orthopedic Surgeon
George Rapp finished his residency at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis in 1958 and was quickly on his way to becoming an outstanding orthopedic surgeon, researcher, teacher and businessman. Dr. Rapp is founder and former Chairman of the Board of Sofamor Danek, the world’s largest manufacturer of spinal instrumentation. He is credited with developing the total hip prosthesis. He also served as Chief of the Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program at St. Vincent Medical Center for 18 years. Among many other important assignments, Dr. Rapp was Director of the Scoliosis Clinic at Riley Hospital for 20 years as well as team physician for the Indianapolis Indians for 28 years.
Dr. Rapp is the recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, an Honorary 33rd Mason, recipient of the World of Difference Award for Lifetime Achievement given by the Indiana Medical Industry Forum, Distinguished Physician Award from St. Vincent Hospital, Elder at 2nd Presbyterian Church, National Board of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Board of Hanover College, donors of the Rapp Family Ravine Garden, Indianapolis Museum of Art.
Jean Wojtowicz
President
Cambridge Capital Management Corp.
Ms. Wojtowicz founded her consulting firm, Cambridge Capital Management Corp., in 1983 and soon was awarded management contracts for the Indiana Statewide Certified Development Corporation and the Indiana Community Business Credit Corporation. Both corporations are consortiums of financial institutions. The Indiana Statewide CDC provides fixed asset financing to small businesses and has received awards from the Small Business Administration for achieving one of the highest rates of growth of any CDC in the U.S. The Credit Corporation loans working capital to businesses in a growth stage.
Cambridge also holds the management contract for LYNX Capital Corporation, established to link capital to minority business opportunities, and has assisted loan programs offered by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and the Indiana Department of Commerce. Ms. Wojtowicz’s firm joined with T.M. Englehart Corporation in 1991 to launch a venture capital fund called Cambridge Ventures L.P. From 1994 to 1998 Cambridge Capital was retained to develop and manage the West Virginia Capital Corporation, which is modeled after the Indiana Community Business Credit Corp. From 1998 to 2002, Cambridge Capital was retained to develop and manage ShoreBridge Capital Ltd. in Cleveland, Ohio, which is a mezzanine fund for growing companies.
Some of the boards Ms. Wojtowicz serves are: Vectren Corp (NYSE: VVC); First Internet Bank of Indiana; Indiana State Chamber; Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce; Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee; OneAmerica Funds, Inc.; Goodwill Industries; Venture Club of Indiana; and national professional organizations including NADCO and NABDC. She is also on the Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
The Wisconsin native earned a degree in business administration with emphasis on finance, investment, and banking matters from the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Information:
Scott Whitlock
President
317.813.5411
9128 Technology Lane
Fishers, IN 46038
Flexware President and CEO, Scott Whitlock,
Named to “Forty Under 40″
| Fishers, IN – February 9, 2004 – Flexware Innovation’s founder, President and CEO, Scott Whitlock, was named to the Indianapolis Business Journal’s “Forty Under 40″ list for 2004. The list honors those individuals that have made significant achievements before reaching the age of 40.The IBJ received more than 200 nominations for this years list.All recipients of the award were highlighted in the February 9-15, 2004 edition (Vol. 24 No. 49). A short biography was included with each announcement. The article ended with this quote from someone who nominated Whitlock, “I believe few young business leaders are more attuned to the path our state’s manufacturing must follow than Scott.” |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Information:
Scott Whitlock
President
317.813.5411
scott.whitlock@flexwareinnovation.com
9128 Technology Lane
Fishers, IN 46038
Flexware Innovation Named a
2003 Indiana Growth 100 Recipient
Fishers, IN – November 20, 2003 – Flexware Innovation, of Fishers, was among the winners of the 2003 Indiana Growth 100 award. The award is sponsored by The Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, part of Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, and recognizes Indiana’s leading high potential, high growth companies. Award recipients were honored at the 10th annual Growth 100 Dinner and Awards Banquet Wednesday, November 19 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis.
Flexware was founded in 1996 by the company’s president, Scott Whitlock, and a partner. The company currently employs 35 business and technology professionals from Central Indiana. Whitlock said he was pleased with the announcement. “We get so focused on our day-to-day tasks with top-tier manufacturers that we don’t take time to celebrate what we’ve accomplished.”
Since inception, the company has provided manufacturing systems to connect the plant floor with enterprise systems. Today, the company has seen steady growth by expanding into business performance improvement and education and coaching services. “Over recent years, we’ve taken notice that technology solutions were only a part of the problem our manufacturing partners were facing,” Whitlock explained. “Technology is only successful when supporting solid processes. We now employ experts in the areas of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma to address these foundational needs.
Flexware has also entered the education and coaching arena. Whitlock explains, “There are tools and techniques available to strengthen manufacturing, but often executives and their teams are not familiar with what’s available today. We see our education initiatives as turning on the light switch and highlighting areas of opportunity and weakness.”
Flexware’s public and private educational programs include, among others, Manufacturing Intelligence, Manufacturing Execution Systems and Lean Manufacturing.
Whitlock summarized, “Bottom line, when we enlighten manufacturing leaders, show them the tools and techniques available to reduce WIP, decrease cycle time, improve efficiency, decrease scrap, improve quality and monitor and track success, manufacturing can withstand global challenges.”
The Growth 100 award honors Indiana’s rapid growth, high potential entrepreneurial companies with annual sales of at least $1 million or have raised significant funding. This year, 86 highly qualified privately owned companies were selected from across the state. Growth 100 companies are identified through an analysis process that is based upon High Performance Organization research conducted by The Johnson Center. Corporate Partners are: Central Indiana Corporate Partners and the newly organized Indiana Venture Center.
“This year’s 2003 Growth 100 awardees have an average annual sales of $21.1 million, with a growth rate averaging 30.5 percent,” said Elizabeth J. Gatewood, Ph.D., The Johnson Center director. “These entrepreneurial companies have a strong impact on the state, not only economically but also through employment and community development.
“We recognize these companies because they represent the entrepreneurial spirit of Indiana business. This award validates all the hard work they’ve put into their companies. It says to them, their employees and their customers that they are doing things right.” Gatewood added “Indiana continues to be a viable business competitor on the national and global level. We are a major player in the industrial, service, retail areas, and are quickly growing in the technology field.”
Flexware moved its corporate headquarters to Fishers, Indiana in recent weeks. The facility is located at 9128 Technology Lane and includes additional land for future growth. The company’s phone number has also changed to 317-813-5400. Information about the move can be found at www.flexwareinnovation.com.
