Report of Survey Conducted at Northrop Grumman Defensive Systems Division Rolling Meadows, Il Best Manufacturing Practices Center of Excellence

Practices (BMP) Program, a unique industry and government cooperative technology transfer effort that improves the competitiveness of America's industrial base both here and abroad. Our main goal at BMP is to increase the quality, reliability, and maintainability of goods produced by American firms. The primary objective toward this goal is simple: to identify best practices, document them, and then encourage industry and government to share information about them. The BMP Program set out in 1985 to help businesses by identifying, researching, and promoting exceptional manufacturing practices, methods, and procedures in design, test, production, facilities, logistics, and management – all areas which are highlighted in the Department of Defense's 4245.7-M, Transition from Development to Production manual. By fostering the sharing of information across industry lines, BMP has become a resource in helping companies identify their weak areas and examine how other companies have improved similar situations. This sharing of ideas allows companies to learn from others' attempts and to avoid costly and time-consuming duplication. BMP identifies and documents best practices by conducting in-depth, voluntary surveys such as this one at Northrop Grumman, Defensive Systems Division (DSD), Rolling Meadows, Illinois conducted during the week of May 1, 2000. Teams of BMP experts work hand-in-hand on-site with the company to examine existing practices, uncover best practices, and identify areas for even better practices. The final survey report, which details the findings, is distributed electronically and in hard copy to thousands of representatives from industry, government, and academia throughout the U.S. and Canada – so the knowledge can be shared. BMP also distributes this information through several interactive services which include CD-ROMs, BMPnet, and a World Wide Web Home Page located on the Internet at Northrop Grumman DSD is a vertically integrated facility which houses all major disciplines under one roof. The company covers the full spectrum of electronic warfare systems, from precision strike to self-protection to readiness and support. Among the best examples were Northrop Grumman DSD's accomplishments in miniaturized high power amplifier design and manufacturing; production process simulation; contingency planning; excellent performance indicators; integrated management control system; modular factory for electronic warfare component manufacturing; and rolling forecast system. The Best Manufacturing Practices Program is committed to strengthening the U.S. industrial base. Survey findings in reports such as this one on Northrop Grumman DSD expand BMP's contribution toward its goal of a stronger, more competitive, globally-minded, and environmentally-conscious American industrial program.