Curtiss Wright store
Success Story

Curtiss-Wright Accelerates Production Order Processing Time From 7 Days to 24 Hours with RFID Technology

Curtiss-Wright is a global leader in industrial manufacturing with deep roots in aerospace innovation. Renowned for its focus on quality and reliability, the company specializes in high-performance valves and components for industries such as aerospace, defense and energy.

Zebra Success Story: Curtiss-Wright

Overview: Manufacturing Challenge

Curtiss-Wright faced challenges in tracking materials and managing work-in-process (WIP) within its valve assembly operations. To address these issues, the company teamed with Xemelgo, Arrowhead and Zebra to implement a comprehensive RFID solution. The implementation streamlined operations, improved on-time delivery and enhanced customer satisfaction, reflecting Curtiss-Wright’s commitment to leveraging advanced technology to uphold its legacy of operational excellence.

Benefits / Outcomes

  • 85% reduction in lead time
  • 90% reduction in WIP inventory
  • Real-time visibility helps boost efficiency and remove bottlenecks

This story and all related content are republished with expressed permission from Xemeglo

Customer

Curtiss-Wright
Davidson, North Carolina/USA

Partner

Xemelgo
Arrowhead

Industry

Manufacturing

Solutions

 About Curtiss-Wright

Curtiss-Wright, founded by aviation pioneers Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers, has a rich history of innovation. Originally a leader in aerospace and military technologies, the company has grown into a global industrial manufacturer. Today, Curtiss­ Wright produces high-performance valves and other critical components for industries like aerospace, defense, and energy. With a focus on quality and reliability, Curtiss-Wright continues its legacy of excellence and innovation across diverse markets.

The Challenge

Curtiss-Wright, a leader in industrial manufacturing with roots in aerospace innovation, implemented an RFID tracking solution to optimize its valve assembly operations. Faced with challenges tracking materials and managing work-in­ process (WIP), the company partnered with Xemelgo, Arrowhead, and Zebra Technologies to deploy a comprehensive RFID system. This solution provided real-time visibility, significantly reducing WIP inventory by 90% and shortening order processing times from seven days to 24 hours. The implementation not only streamlined operations and improved on-time delivery but also enhanced customer satisfaction. The project's success showcases Curtiss-Wright's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to maintain its legacy of operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

Challenges

  • Limited visibility into WIP, making it difficult to manage and expedite aging or hot production orders
  • Long production lead times due to a complex product mix with millions of part variations
  • Reliance on institutional knowledge, intensified by retirement of experienced workers and new employees
  • Low employee morale and increased frustrations due to non-value-added time searching for valves 

I have nothing but compliments for all parties involved. This has been the smoothest integration and implementation I have ever experienced - everything went smoothly.

The Solution

  • Automated WIP Tracking: RFID labels attached to job travelers and RFID readers deployed sitewide automatically track production orders. 
  • Proactive Operations Management: Real-time alerts and management map dashboard department health and performance for aging, delayed, and expedited orders to proactively identify and eliminate bottlenecks.
  • Data Integration: API capabilities seamlessly integrated RFID data with Curtiss­ Wright's Power Bl tools, enhancing data-driven decision-making.

The Zebra Difference: Outcome and Benefits

  • Boosted Operational Efficiency: Real-time visibility and proactive management tools helped identify waste and remove bottlenecks.
  • 85% Reduction in Lead Time: Order processing times dropped from 7 days to 24 hours, enhancing delivery speed and customer satisfaction.
  • 90% Reduction in WIP Inventory: Improved material flow significantly reduced WIP inventory value.