MKPS - The Last Mile
As a MillerKnoll Certififed Dealer, MTA is an active participant in MKPS - The Last Mile, a continuous improvement program to seek opportunities for improvement and better serve our customers.
What is MKPS - The Last Mile?
MKPS, or the MillerKnoll Performance System, is a system for continuous improvement and efficiency, brought to MTA and other MillerKnoll dealers through a program called “The Last Mile.”
MKPS is MillerKnoll’s approach to continuous improvement . Originally developed in 1996 through a partnership between Herman Miller and Toyota, the system focuses on improving quality, reliability, lead times, and service by developing team members into skilled problem-solvers. The result is an efficient team dedicated to eliminating waste and human struggle throughout the organization, ensuring customers receive their orders complete, undamaged, and on time.
The Last Mile is an extension of MillerKnoll's value stream to help build continuous improvement capability in their dealer network to Certified Dealers like us, at MTA. The Last Mile starts closest to the customer—at installation—where continuous improvement and problem-solving have the most direct impact on customers and project outcomes.
By applying lean principles to dealership operations, The Last Mile builds capabilities that deliver more reliable, high-quality outcomes for customers.
While continuous improvement is never-ending, once lean principles have been successfully adopted into Installation and Warehouse operations, the Last Mile program then works upstream through Project Management, Order Entry, Design, and Sales. MKPS prompts dealers to analyze internal processes and identify ways to improve efficiency in handling tasks and information.
From the steps taken to design a space to the literal footsteps taken on site, marginal improvements in everyday processes can potentially save hours across any given project.
MKPS Coach, Nadira Osman, and MTA Management
MKPS and MTA
MTA works closely with MillerKnoll and a representative from their MKPS team to implement the Last Mile into our dealer Operations.
Lean Principles Implemented at MTA
- Weekly meetings with Operations and Lead Installers
- Cross-departmental meetings
- Revised internal processes and forms
- Organizational tools built for ease of installation
- Commitment to continuous improvement
By approaching problems with a MKPS mindset—seeing challenges as opportunities for improvement rather than negatives—MTA has been able to enhance operations through efficient, thoughtful solutions.
Customer Impact
Working with a dealer that prioritizes continuous improvement and efficiency through programs such as The Last Mile, means our customers benefit from these lean principles.
- Condensed project timelines
- Less time on site
- Cleaner job sites
- Greater flexibility
- Improved communication
- Competitive pricing
- Greater customer satisfaction
As a result, customers experience less downtime and more proactive communication, removing the complexity from working with MTA. This approach is reinforced by MTA’s strong customer satisfaction record.
By adopting the MKPS mindset, MTA promises our customers that we will continuously strive for improvement