A facilities Layout and Material Handling Project conducted by 5 very promising Pitt Engineering Students will assist Amick Associates, Inc. with the implementation of a process and improvement strategy for a $500,000.00 Product Testing Upgrade planned for 2015. Jaclyn Shields, Michele Buono, Melissa Morello, Kelsey Knox, and Tara Manesh will spearhead this project as part of their continuing education through the Swanson School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. So what do IEs do? In very simple terms, while engineers typically make things, IEs figure out how to make or do things better. This is what gives IEs so much flexibility - as you can imagine, everyone would like to do things better! IEs are primarily concerned with two closely related issues: productivity and quality. They address these two issues by looking at integrated systems of machines, human beings, information, computers, and other resources. A variety of skills and techniques are used to design and operate such systems in the most productive way possible, while continuously improving them and maintaining the highest levels of quality. IEs make significant contributions to their employers by making money for them while, at the same time, making the workplace better for fellow workers. Industrial Engineers may be found working everywhere: from traditional manufacturing companies to airlines, from distribution companies to financial institutions, from major medical establishments to consulting companies, from high-tech corporations to companies in the food industry. We are excited to work with these great students on a project that will ultimately enhance our testing capabilities here at Amick Associates, Inc.