M.C. Dean is transforming their modular design and manufacturing processes to integrate lean principles and address the rapid global demand for high-density power data centers. In a recent CEO Kaizen event, cross-functional groups applied 3P methodology (production, preparation, process) to three high-priority data center projects with the goal of streamlining design and bringing repeatability to the manufacturing process before full-scale production began.
“Our customers need more power, delivered faster than ever before,” said Kevin Douglas, M.C. Dean vice president of operational excellence. “We’re looking at major global manufacturers and rethinking how we build – simplifying our products, standardizing components, and aligning teams across every phase of delivery.”
Cross-functional teams comprised of employees from engineering, manufacturing, field operations, and executive leadership worked together at Modular Mission Critical™ to apply the 3P methodology across multiple product lines. As a result, each group developed action plans to reduce design variation, standardize equipment mounting, streamline cable and label systems, and improve coordination between engineering and manufacturing. These efforts are expected to cut production hours, reduce rework and shipping complexity, and boost consistency across product lines for increased speed to delivery.
“This has been a historic week for M.C. Dean. The results of these studies will be very impactful for years to come,” said Bill Dean, M.C. Dean chief executive officer. “We want to implement 3P for all jobs in the future before project kick-off to ensure alignment across teams and the best results for customers.”
The three Kaizen teams from this event will continue to meet weekly into the fall, ensuring recommendations are implemented. More details will be shared across the company as new best practices are established. Outside of these efforts, the operational excellence team at Modular Mission Critical™ will continue further work to drive improvements across product lines.
Follow along on their website and LinkedIn for more updates in this series covering our operational excellence transformation in 2025 and beyond.
M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence®. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation’s most recognizable mission critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. The company’s capabilities include electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life safety, automation and controls, audio visual, and IT systems. M.C. Dean is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, and employs more than 7,000 professionals who engineer and deploy automated, secure, and resilient power and technology systems; and deliver the management platforms essential for long-term system sustainability.