Roadtec expands to get lean

To meet increased product demand and streamline production, Roadtec broke ground on a 56,000-sq.-ft. facility expansion at its Chattanooga, Tenn., site early this year.

The company expects to complete construction and installation of new manufacturing equipment by mid-summer. Several pieces of heavy manufacturing equipment have been ordered, among them a new Whitney 4400, two new brake presses and new burn tables. An additional paint booth complete with a computerized paint monitoring system will also be part of the expansion.

The new addition will allow Roadtec to more fully meet its customers' demands for its products. Roadtec will continue implementation of lean manufacturing, a process that focuses on reducing or eliminating over-production, waiting time, transportation, over-processing, inventory, motion and scrap.