Client: DipJar

DipJar makes charitable giving easier by giving organizations the ability to accept credit cards in a very unique way. The idea came about as a need was recognized. DipJar’s website states, “Many charitable organizations were not equipped to accept credit card donations easily and donors were becoming less likely to carry cash or checks.”

What makes DipJar unique? They found that people are more likely to give if the amount to give is clearly specified. Then DipJar worked on innovative ways to helps clients go from collecting donations to creating a giving “experience”. The combination of engaging, easy to use electronic devices and innovative software and feedback displays took giving from a brief transaction to a memorable experience. 

The Opportunity

DipJar found that they faced the same challenge that many start-ups face…resources and focus. Their strength and passion were design, innovation, marketing, and sales. But then there’s that last piece of the puzzle…manufacturing. DipJar did what most start-ups do, do the best you can, with limited time and resources. And, like many start-ups soon find, they needed help with manufacturing.

In stepped SPEDE Manufacturing. Why was this important to DipJar? Aren’t there many contract manufacturers out there who could learn DipJar’s Manufacturing processes and replicate what they were doing? Absolutely. But SPEDE Manufacturing is unique. They didn’t just take the process “as-is” and replicate it. They used their in-house expertise in Lean Manufacturing and Continuous-flow to transform a process that was segmented, disconnected, and defect prone into a streamlined, simple, responsive, Lean Manufacturing process. This was accomplished in a matter of weeks and allowed DipJar to get back to what they do best.

The Solution

SPEDE Manufacturing differentiates itself by using industry “best practices” like Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Value Engineering to help their clients go from something that works to a best-in-class manufacturing operation without the need for the client to engage with expensive consultants or to hire high priced process engineers. It’s all part of the package when SPEDE Manufacturing engages with companies to do their contract manufacturing.

Here's how it works. SPEDE Manufacturing does an on-site assessment of the clients manufacturing operation. Many times, the “current state” is a batch-style manufacturing process with limited quality control that is slow to respond to customer’s needs. SPEDE Manufacturing goes to work using Value Stream Mapping to design a “future state” that increases flow and reduces cost. The reductions in cost come from reduced labor, quality improvements, reduced inventory, etc. When manufacturing operations are transferred from the client to SPEDE Manufacturing, the new processes are implemented and improvements are realized right from the start. 

The Outcome

The results are dramatic. DipJar was able to transfer manufacturing responsibilities to SPEDE Manufacturing in a matter of weeks. The new improved manufacturing processes cut labor in half. Deliveries to customers did not miss a beat. DipJar was able to focus on what they do best, engage with customers, innovate new products and focus on growth.

What comes next?

SPEDE Manufacturing will engage with DipJar to not only improve their processes but the product itself.

They use tools like Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE) and Design for Manufacturing & Assembly to help DipJar reduce costs further by recommending design improvements to their products to make the products easier to manufacture and assemble.

The saving is shared between the client and SPEDE Manufacturing to create a win-win partnership.