Original Date: 02/19/2007
Revision Date: / /

Raytheon’s Network Centric Systems Manufacturing Center in Largo, Florida, has implemented a Rapid Response initiative focused on improving customer service by providing quick turnaround on bids and proposals, prototyping requests, and short-run production requests. The new approach has resulted in a significant reduction in process cycle time while better positioning the company to capture emergent business in the future.

Raytheon’s Network Centric Systems (NCS) Manufacturing Center in Largo, Florida, has implemented a Rapid Response initiative designed to drive growth by reducing turnaround time for bids/proposals, prototyping and production efforts. In the past, bids and proposals were frequently delayed by an inflexible bid process and the time required to organize a proposal team and receive material pricing for a complex bid. Limited capability existed at the Largo facility to handle quick turnaround production or repair requests.

Since March 2006, the Rapid Bid process has provided the flexibility to tailor the bid activity (including approval loops) depending on customer, type of contract, and technical data package status. Tailoring is decided by bid teams consisting of Value Stream Leaders and personnel representing Bids and Proposals, Manufacturing Engineering, Test Engineering, and Supply Chain Management functions. Strategies include using “similar-to” material pricing data and procurement data from other sites if same part numbers have recently been procured. Resulting bid turnaround times have significantly improved, ranging from 2 days to 19 days (previously 24 days to 60 days). A “Quick Reaction” production work area has also been established and staffed with skilled labor and support capacity, providing capability to quickly execute special requests.

Raytheon Largo intends to expand the scope of this initiative by engaging with both internal and external resources to form an infrastructure prepared to respond quickly to emergent needs. This approach provides a competitive edge, facilitating getting to market first.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.