Draft:Richard Muther & Associates

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1. Richard Muther & Associates

• • Richard Muther & Associates** (RMA) is an American industrial

engineering and management consulting firm specializing in layout and facilities planning, material handling analysis, and operations improvement for manufacturing plants, warehouses, offices, and service facilities. Founded in 1956 by pioneering industrial engineer Richard Muther, the firm developed and popularized systematic planning methodologies, most notably **Systematic Layout Planning (SLP)** and

• • Systematic Handling Analysis (SHA)**, which have influenced industrial

engineering practices worldwide. It operates today as the industrial engineering division of High Performance Concepts, Inc. (HPC Inc.), continuing its legacy of consulting, training, and research.

1. 1. History

Richard Muther (1913 – 2014) founded Richard Muther & Associates in 1956 in Kansas City, Missouri. Muther, an MIT alumnus who had worked in industry and served on the MIT faculty, established the firm to fulfill his career vision of management, teaching, and consulting in industrial engineering and production management. The firm initially focused on plant layout, facilities planning, and related training, building on Muther's earlier work such as his 1944 book *Production Line Technique* and 1955 *Practical Plant Layout*. Early operations were based in Kansas City. The firm quickly gained recognition through public workshops, university collaborations (notably with the University of Kansas), and consulting projects in manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution. In the 1960s and 1970s, RMA expanded internationally. Muther developed strong ties with the Japan Management Association (starting 1961, training engineers in SLP), leading to the founding of Muther Systems Japan by Hiroshi Ito. In 1969, Muther International was established in Switzerland to serve European clients. Projects spanned countries including the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, UK, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and later China beginning in the 1980s. As of 2026, the firm has completed assignments in 30 countries. Muther pioneered or refined key tools and methods, including the Relationship Chart (REL-CHART) and space-relationship diagram, Mag-Count for material handling assessment, and industry-standard color codes and symbols for facilities planning. He also contributed to early computer- aided layout planning (e.g., RMA Comp I in the mid-1960s). The firm emphasized practical, structured approaches that empowered clients ("helping clients help themselves") through training alongside consulting.

Systematic Layout Planning Capsule Summary

Illustrated steps of SLP Phase II Overall Layout

Richard Muther led the firm for approximately 30 years before retiring. Leadership transitioned to H. Lee Hales (who had joined earlier and brought experience from prior consulting roles). Hales founded High Performance Concepts, Inc. in 1992; Richard Muther & Associates continues as its industrial engineering division, focused on facilities planning and physical operations improvement. The firm relocated its base to the Atlanta area (Marietta, Georgia). In 2006 (50th anniversary), the firm published historical timelines and reflections. For its 60th anniversary in 2016, it released the 4th edition of *Systematic Layout Planning (SLP)* and made digital versions of classic texts and translations freely available. This tradition has continued and for its 70 th anniversary the firm has shared extensive checklists for planning industrial and distribution facilities. Throughout its history, RMA associates have authored or co-authored numerous books (translated into more than 20 languages), over 100 technical papers, and chapters in handbooks and encyclopedias. Public training has reached participants in 20+ countries, with over 15,000 graduates of systematic planning courses.

1. 1. Services and Methodologies

Richard Muther & Associates provides consulting, in-house and public training, and research in: - **Facilities planning and layout**: Plant, warehouse, office, and service facility layout using Systematic Layout Planning (SLP) and related techniques. - **Material handling analysis**: Systematic Handling Analysis (SHA) and Mag-Count methods. - **Long-range and master planning**: Site selection, master site planning, long-range facilities strategy (including Systematic Planning of Industrial Facilities - SPIF). - **Operations improvement**: Lean and cellular manufacturing planning, consolidation/relocation planning, process redesign. - **Training and capability building**: Public workshops, in-house courses, and certificate programs (often in partnership with institutions like Georgia Tech Supply Chain & Logistics Institute and University of Kansas). Emphasis on practical application so client teams can apply methods independently. The firm's approach is distinguished by award-winning, structured "systematic" methodologies that combine analysis (e.g., relationship charting, flow analysis, space requirements) with synthesis for optimal layouts, minimizing unnecessary movement and supporting efficient operations.

1. 1. Publications and Education

Richard Muther authored or co-authored influential texts, including: - *Production Line Technique* (1944)

- *Practical Plant Layout* (1955) - *Systematic Layout Planning (SLP)* (multiple editions; 1st ~1961, later editions including 4th with Lee Hales in 2016) - *Systematic Handling Analysis (SHA)* (1969) - *Systematic Planning of Industrial Facilities (SPIF)* (1979/1980/1999 editions with Lee Hales) - *Planning By Design* (2010) - Others such as *Office Layout Planning*, *Creating Personal Success*, and *High Performance Planning*. A 2006 memoir, *Reaching: Love Affairs with Industry*, reflected on his career. Associates, including under Lee Hales' leadership, have continued updating and disseminating these works. Classic texts and translations (Spanish, French, Italian, German, Dutch, Czech, Swedish, Japanese, Chinese, etc.) have been made available digitally. The firm maintains a YouTube channel and offers online/in-person training resources. Muther and associates served as guest lecturers or instructors at MIT, Georgia Tech, National University of Singapore, Swedish Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), ETH Zurich, University of Missouri–Kansas City, Naval Postgraduate School, and other institutions worldwide. H. Lee Hales serves as President of RMA and as a senior lecturer/instructor for Georgia Tech’s Supply Chain and Logistics Institute.

1. 1. Leadership

- **Founder**: Richard Muther (1913–2014), PE, CMC, PCMH, ScD(hc). Known as the "Father of Systematic Planning" or "Mister Systematic." Recipient of the Gilbreth Medal (1962), Materials Handling Award (SAM), Honor Award (IMMS), Engineering Citation (SME), Reed-Apple Award, and others. Founder of the Institute of High Performance Planners. Honorary doctorate from Lund University, Sweden. - **Current President**: H. Lee Hales, long-time associate and leader who has guided the firm for decades, co-developing and teaching its methods. Hales is also founder of High Performance Concepts, Inc. and an instructor at Georgia Tech's Supply Chain & Logistics Institute. The firm maintains a small, expert team focused on high-impact projects and knowledge transfer rather than large-scale staffing.

1. 1. Headquarters and Contact

- **Current base**: Marietta, Georgia (Atlanta metropolitan area), United States. - **Website**: [richardmuther.com](https://richardmuther.com/) - **Parent/Division**: Industrial engineering division of High Performance Concepts, Inc. (hpcinc.com), founded 1992 by Lee Hales. - Historical base: Kansas City, Missouri.

1. 1. Legacy

Richard Muther & Associates' systematic methods (SLP, SHA, and related frameworks) remain among the most widely taught and applied techniques in industrial facilities planning globally. They have been used in thousands

of projects across industries and continents, contributing to more efficient, profitable, and adaptable operations. The firm's training programs continue to build internal capabilities within client organizations, extending Muther's philosophy of rational, data-driven planning. Its work bridges classical industrial engineering principles with modern applications in lean manufacturing, supply chain optimization, and Industry 4.0-era facility design.

References

1. 1. See also

- Richard Muther (industrial engineer) - Systematic Layout Planning - Industrial engineering - Facilities management - Lean manufacturing

1. 1. References

1. Richard Muther & Associates official website (https://richardmuther.com/) and subpages, including biography and historical materials.

2. High Performance Concepts, Inc. (https://hpcinc.com/).

3. "Richard Muther (industrial engineer)", Wikipedia article (biographical details, publications, awards).

4. "Richard Muther '38, SM '41", *MIT Technology Review*, April 22, 2008 (https://www.technologyreview.com/2008/04/22/220822/richard-muther-38-sm- 41/).

5. "Historical Highlights 1956–2005", Richard Muther Associates (PDF compiled by H. Lee Hales, September 2006; available via richardmuther.com).

6. "70th Year" anniversary page and related publications on richardmuther.com.

7. Obituary and biographical notices for Richard Muther (Kansas City Star, 2014).

8. Various training descriptions, LinkedIn profiles, and institutional pages (Georgia Tech SCL, University of Kansas professional education).