Before they're signed, sealed and delivered, envelope window films need to be produced. And by combining the elements of Six Sigma quality and manufacturing processes with the superior performance of PROCITE* envelope window film, The Dow Chemical Company has achieved a nine percent production increase at its Hebron (Licking River), Ohio, facility since the first quarter of 2000. A 10 percent increase is anticipated by mid-2001 following additional process enhancements.
The Six Sigma process is the discipline Dow is using to focus on product and service excellence to create a culture that demands perfection – on target, every time. With a focus on customer needs, Dow production managers use Six Sigma efforts to measure, analyze, improve and control the manufacturing processes for PROCITE envelope window film.
"Production efficiencies we found through the Six Sigma process have offered us the opportunity to dramatically increase production," said Jo Watkins, of The Dow Chemical Company. "Most important, we've accomplished this increase while maintaining stringent product quality standards and high levels of customer service."
PROCITE envelope window film offers the best combination of both optical and physical performance required for high performance Optical Character Recognition (OCR) readability of text characters and bar codes – delivering virtually 100 percent sorting efficiency.
Specifically, if the window film is too glossy, the reflective glare can blind the OCR unit, but also if the film has excessive haze, it can diffuse the OCR illumination and distort the address block data. Since its commercial launch in August, 1998, PROCITE envelope window film has effectively proven its ability to meet OCR readability needs, while offering security by having the optimal level of haze to prohibit intrusive third-party reading of personal information beyond the address block area.
The stiffness and gauge tolerance limits of PROCITE envelope window film also provide a consistently flat film, which helps prevent bending and buckling that distort the address block information and create shadows that cause misreads – delaying the sorting process.
"PROCITE envelope window film has been well received for the efficiencies it offers in envelope production and mail handling," said Watkins. "A nine percent increase in production last year and another 10 percent expected this year is truly a testament to the success Six Sigma has brought to our ability to continually offer better solutions with great products to our customers."
Dow is a leading science and technology company that provides innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer markets. With annual sales of approximately $30 billion, Dow serves customers in more than 170 countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress, including food, transportation, health and medicine, personal and home care, and building and construction, among others. Committed to the principles of Sustainable Development, Dow and its 50,000 employees seek to balance economic, environmental and social responsibilities.
For more information on PROCITE envelope window film and services from the Engineered Films and Laminates Business of The Dow Chemical Company, contact the Dow Customer Information Group at (800) 441-4369 or Contact Us and reference 1-AMD1S to speed your inquiry.
®™* Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow
