The New Year has started off strong for Boston Industrial, and 2015 introduces a reverse trend in the industry, the repurposing of retail space to manufacturing. We are currently involved in the redesign of a Lowe’s department store building in Haverhill, MA. This 110,000sf space will be converted into a new manufacturing center for Southwick Clothing. Southwick is recognized for understated elegance, quality workmanship and is famous for their high-end brand of men’s suits, pants and jackets. Southwick is trademarked by the Golden Fleece Manufacturing Group LLC. Golden Fleece also manufacturers men’s suits for retailers, including Brooks Brothers. Keeping with the Southwick tradition of superior products, Boston Industrial is proud to be selected to complete this detailed design and process improvement project, to the standards Southwick upholds and expects.
Always up to a challenge, Boston Industrial is on task to complete this fast paced project. We have a very short time frame of only 2 months for completion, during which time all process changes and layout design modifications must be completed. This renovation will feature heavy service requirements that entail moving and setting up 450 independent pieces of equipment. Our plan is to implement ‘one piece flow’ manufacturing techniques into the process and layout, to reduce the overall time to customer. The practice of one piece flow is challenging, and requires coordination so the right parts and quantities can be made available when needed. More simply stated, one-piece flow means that parts are moved through operations from step to step with limited work-in-process (WIP). A fast track construction project is underway, and a summer 2015 occupancy is planned. Once the project is completed and Southwick is fully occupied in early Fall 2015, the new Golden Fleece manufacturing space will provide more than 400 jobs in Haverhill.
