Frequently Asked Questions

A manufacturing consultant analyzes your production processes, identifies inefficiencies, and implements practical solutions to improve throughput and reduce costs. At The Streamline Group, that means spending time on your shop floor — observing workflows, measuring setup times, and working directly with your operators to implement changes that deliver measurable results.

We offer five core services: process and workflow optimization, setup reduction, on-site manufacturing training, engineered tooling solutions, and machine tool evaluation. Each service is tailored to your specific shop floor, machines, and part mix rather than delivered from a generic playbook.

Yes, we serve manufacturers nationwide. While we are based in Anna, TX, our team travels to your facility for all on-site work. That is where real improvements happen — on your floor, with your machines, alongside your people. We coordinate travel logistics to minimize disruption to your production schedule.

Most engagements run between 2 and 8 weeks depending on scope. A focused setup reduction project might take 2 to 3 weeks, while a comprehensive process optimization covering multiple work cells typically runs 4 to 8 weeks. We scope the project during an initial walkthrough and provide a clear timeline before starting.

Typical outcomes include 40 to 70% reduction in setup times, 15 to 25% throughput improvement from workflow rebalancing, and measurable reductions in scrap and rework. We set clear, measurable goals at the start of every engagement and track progress throughout so you can see the return on investment.

Large firms charge premium rates and often send junior analysts to gather data for a partner you will never meet. We work differently. Senior manufacturing professionals engage directly on your shop floor, implement changes alongside your team, and transfer knowledge so improvements last. The result is faster ROI and solutions your operators actually buy into.

No. We design our engagements to work around your production schedule, not against it. Initial observation happens while your shop runs normally. Changes are implemented in phases, often during natural breaks in production or shift changes. Our goal is to improve flow, not interrupt it.

We focus on shop floor operations rather than software implementation, but we regularly work alongside existing ERP and MES systems. If your current system creates bottlenecks or does not reflect actual shop floor reality, we can help identify where the disconnect is and recommend adjustments to make your system work better for your team.

Most shops achieve 40 to 70% reduction in changeover times using SMED principles adapted to their specific equipment. The exact improvement depends on your current setup process, machine types, and part complexity. We measure baseline setup times during our initial walkthrough and set realistic targets based on what we observe.

Rarely. The majority of setup reduction gains come from reorganizing the sequence of steps, separating internal and external tasks, and standardizing procedures. In some cases we may recommend custom fixturing or workholding upgrades, but the biggest wins come from method changes, not capital purchases.

High-mix environments are where we do our best work. We group parts into families based on machine requirements, fixturing similarity, and tooling overlap, then design standardized setup procedures for each family. This approach reduces changeover time even when your part mix changes daily, because operators follow a consistent method regardless of the specific part number.

Our on-site training works best with groups of 4 to 12 people, which allows for hands-on practice at each machine station. For larger teams, we run multiple sessions to keep the training practical and interactive. Classroom-style lectures do not build shop floor skills, so we keep groups small enough for every participant to get machine time.

Yes. We train on the controls and machines your operators actually use every day, including Fanuc, Siemens, Haas, Mazak, and others. Training is conducted at your facility using your equipment and your parts, which means operators can apply what they learn immediately without translating from a generic curriculum to their specific shop environment.

The first step is a shop floor walkthrough. Contact us to schedule a visit, and we will come to your facility to observe your operations, talk with your team, and identify the highest-impact opportunities. From there we provide a clear scope, timeline, and proposal tailored to your specific situation.

A walkthrough typically takes half a day. We observe your production flow from raw material to finished part, watch setups and changeovers, talk with operators and supervisors, and review key metrics like on-time delivery and scrap rates. There is no obligation and no sales pitch. The goal is to understand your operation well enough to identify where improvements will have the biggest impact.

Pricing depends on the scope and duration of the engagement. A focused setup reduction project costs significantly less than a multi-month comprehensive optimization. We provide a detailed proposal with clear pricing after the initial walkthrough so there are no surprises. Most clients see a return on their investment within the first few weeks of implementation.