The MILLS & NEBRASKA Blog

This week has been WIC Week across the country - Women In Construction Week. There have been celebrations, recognitions, and appreciations for all the accomplishments women have made in the construction industry.

Over the last few videos you've seen what lean thinking looks like, how it works in practice, the benefit to workers, the company, and the customers. Hopefully your understanding and appreciation for lean implementation has grown. Today we are doing a final wrap up and introducing new lean processes - kanban, wip (work in process), and andon systems. These all aid workers to know what and when something needs to be done. Each of these serves as (self-directed) triggers.

Ever been at work waiting on direction from someone so you can get your job done? It can be frustrating and a waste of time. One of the purposes of lean is to create "value". Wasted time does not create value and therefore is identified and eliminated. The adage, "A picture is worth a thousand words" holds true in this lean application. 

Our Hollow Metal Shop Supervisor takes us on a mini tour of the hollow metal shop. He tells us how a door becomes ready for its project. Using lean principles, he explains how process flow works for the material and labor within this shop. Is a water spider friend or foe? Tune in and find out. Bonus on this segment - watch until the end to see the sparks fly! #millsnebraska #commercialdoors #lean Watch the video:

What is Lean Leadership and how do employees take ownership of their work? It starts with the culture. Creating and fostering an environment of growth is key to opening the door to successful lean implementation. Lean leaders aren’t micromanagers, their role is more teacher and coach. They help employees see the significance of their role and how the employees' performance can help them or hinder them.

Has the beginning of the new year inspired you to set goals to lose weight, be healthier, and/or get rid of clutter? Similar principles that apply to our personal overall well-being can be applied to a healthy business as well. At Mills & Nebraska we have been looking lean for a while and the results benefit our customers and our company. We eliminate waste which increases profitability. We make sure things have a place and are put in their place. When things are in order it minimizes - and even eliminates - chaos. Can you see the personal to professional parallels of being lean?

This Thanksgiving may we remember all that the Pilgrims gave up and sacrificed when they left the familiar and came to an almost unknown land. Four hundred years later we celebrate the Lord's faithfulness to them in what is known as the U.S.A. May your Thanksgiving be filled with gratitude because there is always a reason to give thanks. Happy Thanksgiving! #grateful #Pilgrims #faithful #thanks

Recently we were awarded the Orlando Sentinel's Top Workplaces award! What makes this award so special is because our employees are the ones who made it happen. The Top Workplaces winners create a, "culture where employees feel engaged, appreciated, and fulfilled....The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage, LLC. The anonymous survey uniquely measures 15 drivers of engaged cultures that are critical to the success of any organization: including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few." So a big, "THANK YOU!" to our employees. This is a feel good milestone in our company's 87+ year history. #topworkplaces #orlandosentinel #millsnebraska #ouremployeesrock #employeeappreciation #winners

If longevity is a precursor to dedication, then Mills & Nebraska has been blessed with a very dedicated man. After 35 years of being the go-to guy for the upkeep of the property and all things mechanical, our George has officially retired.

Over the years he morphed with Mills, playing an important multi-faceted role where he touched many of the critical daily operations of the company and the equipment we use. He came to work, did his job well, and cared about the company. Not even surgeries or bumps, cuts, and bruises would stop him from being here. He had a job to do, a responsibility to keep, and people who were counting on him - his family and his Mills family. 

For anyone who would listen, George was willing to tell them the proper way to load a truck, use a forklift, or any other job related task. His knowledge, work ethic, and drive to make and keep things right and running have always been admirable. Even though he's in his early 80's, he can hold his own and outwork most of the young guys around here - hands down.

On June 21, 2020 MIlls & Nebraska celebrated another milestone birthday. We turned 87 and we feel great! In 1933 five local businessmen had the crazy idea to start a company during the Great Depression. These men recognized that a total building supply company would be required to meet the needs of the community and would likewise stimulate the growth of their company. Since that time Mills & Nebraska has seen a lot and we have morphed our business accordingly to meet our commercial customers needs. Today we service commercial opening projects that are all over Florida, in multiple states, and even in other countries. We look forward to serving the commercial industry here and beyond for at least another 87 years! #happybirthdaytous  #millsnebraska #commercialdoors #eightyseven