Lean 101 pays off for battery manufacturing

Lithium battery manufacturer, Electrochem, is well along on its lean journey and drives lean principles to the workforce through lean 101 education. ...

... "They go through a full day of what we call Lean 101. They spend the time to understand what Lean is all about, says Bolt. " ...

Via Business Review USA: Electrochem

Electrochem lean leadership (PDF).

SKF Leader Leaves Six Sigma Legacy

SKF CEO changes as outgoing executive leaves a foundation of Lean Six Sigma excellence. ...

... "Dettloff retires from SKF after 10 years with the company. He joined SKF in 2000 as president of its seals business, and was promoted to President and CEO of SKF USA Inc. in 2006. Under his leadership, he led a team in developing operational excellence by reducing inventories, strengthening supply chain management, and emphasizing a team management philosophy, all anchored by lean manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies. " ...

Via SKF USA: New President and CEO

Six Sigma Customer Perspective

Westinghouse exec leverages his customer focus into new leadership position at the company. ...

... "Mr. Hallen holds a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. Additionally, he is a certified Westinghouse Customer 1st leader (CFL). Customer 1st is the Westinghouse continuous improvement initiative that employs such tools as Six Sigma, Human Performance, Lean Enterprise and Behavioral Differentiation. " ...

Via Westinghouse Nuclear: Johan Hallen

Game Time Lean Manufacturing

GameTime sets the leadership pace with lean manufacturing contributing to its product quality and streamlined workflow. ...

... "Norquist said, in the past five years, GameTime has embraced a lean manufacturing process that has tremendously improved the quality in our product and evened out the workflow. GameTime isn’t just known for quality, either – the company has also established itself as a leader in workplace safety. " ...

Via The DeKalb County Times-Journal: GameTime

Continuous Improvement of Energy Performance in Manufacturing

Can we create a manufacturing landscape that values the continual improvement of energy performance. There is collaborative work on developing white energy credits to create incentives for energy efficiency leadership. ...

... "Foster an organizational culture of continuous improvement in energy efficiency ... " ...

Via Superior Energy Performance: U.S. Council for Energy-Efficient Manufacturing

Air Product Continuous Improvement Executive Position

Air Products places executive level attention on continuous improvement, which includes lean and Six Sigma activities throughout the company. ...

... "Alexander W. Masetti has been appointed vice president, Continuous Improvement, responsible for expanding and institutionalizing Air Products’ overall continuous improvement activity, including capabilities such as Six Sigma and Lean. Masetti joined Air Products in 1981 as an engineer in the company’s Career Development Program and subsequently held management positions within the Process Gas Division. " ...

Via Air Products: Executive Change

Communicate the Business Strategy with Lean Six Sigma Implementation

Lean Six Sigma implementations require communication leadership to set the direction, provide transparency to the process, and to celebrate successes along the way. Providing the motivation for workforce change requires identifying change leaders on the shop floor to sustain the communication process. The Six Sigma practitioner will use influence skills to drive adoption by front-line workers and administrative staff. ...

... "When it comes to something as complex as shifting a culture toward the principles and practices of lean Six Sigma, communication is not just important, it is mission critical. " ...

Via Quality: Leadership

Toyota Growth Over Quality

Toyota is shaking up its leadership ranks as it prepares to retool the company during the challenges of this business cycle. ...

... "But he said the company, famous for caution and self-reflection, strayed when growth, not quality, became its main concern. " ...

Via New York Times: Toyota Restructures

Trane Lean Culture Kaizen Events

Trane has implemented Ultriva kanban systems to augment the lean leadership culture that is has cultivated. ...

... "From a higher level of Ingersoll-Rand -- even our CEO participates in 2 kaizen events a year at different plants, so it's becoming part of our culture for sure, noted John Young, Materials/Supply Chain Leader of TRANE Residential Systems – Vidalia, GA. " ...

Via Ultriva: TRANE Residential Systems lean organization (PDF)

Lean Introduction Commitment

UK injection molding manufacturer is navigating the downturn on a solid foundation of quality improvement, having secured key production contracts, and leadership is committed to implementing lean manufacturing principles through its workforce. ...

... "ISO14001 and ISO 9000 have both been secured at the earliest opportunity and the management team has pledged its commitment to developing the workforce and introducing lean manufacturing across the plant. " ...

Via Engineering Capacity: Fern Plastic Products

Kaizen Respect

Learn how kaizen improves leadership capabilities. ...

... "Respect. Kaizen teaches respect for people, time, resources, and differences in viewpoint, all qualities of an effective leader. " ...

Via The Manufacturer: 10 Ways of Kaizen

TQM Advocacy

Executive and workforce commitment is critical to sustaining any quality improvement program. ...

... "TQM fades out the moment an internal advocate resigns without making sure that the program runs its course regardless of its leader. " ...

Via BusinessWorld: TQM program management

GE Immelt Six Sigma Leadership

GE CEO Immelt sees 2009 as an opportunity to exhibit real leadership. ...

... "Is Mr. Immelt a Six Sigma expert, or Black Belt as they're called? No, he confessed. I never was. " ...

Via Washington Times: Jeffrey Immelt, GE

Executive Perspective on Lean Manufacturing

The lean manufacturing journey will be discussed by experienced executive. ...

... "Richard Andrews of Longview, former CEO of Stemco, Inc., will share his years of knowledge and expertise with area manufacturers during a free workshop 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10 ... " ...

Via Kilgore News: Lean manufacturing

The Lean Manufacturing Response

Downturn prompts local firms to accelerate lean manufacturing efforts. ...

... "Aside from idling their local factory, the leaders at Masco are looking to cut costs through lean manufacturing procedures that reduce waste and conserve energy. " ...

Via Ocala Star-Banner: Response to financial downturn

Six Sigma Black Belt Achievement

Electronics manufacturer in UK invests in developing their talent in Six Sigma methodology. ...

... "With three Black Belts in our senior management team providing leadership to our 25 Green Belts we can confidently drive Six Sigma tools and practices through into every aspect of our business and operation. " ...

Via evertiq: Third Six Sigma Black Belt

JIT Lean Supply Chain

Leadership appointment bring lean experience to the supply chain. ...

... "Under Ms. de Souza’s leadership, EI is developing and executing direct and indirect materials procurement strategies utilizing lean principles including JIT and Consignment as well as streamlining EI’s Supply Chain through full implementation of the SAP toolset. " ...

Via Endicott Interconnect: Jennifer de Souza

Hormel Six Sigma Leadership Evolution

Hormel announces orderly transition of leadership, including Six Sigma leader role. ...

... "Scott R. Christensen has been named director of industrial engineering and Six Sigma, effective Oct. 27, 2008. Christensen started with Hormel Foods in 1980 as an industrial engineer in the Austin, Minn., Plant. He received several promotions as an industrial engineer and, in 1988, was named staff industrial engineer. In 1989, he was named senior manufacturing engineer at Jennie-O Foods and, in 1996, was named director of grain merchandising and ingredient purchasing for Jennie-O Foods. In 1999, he was named manager of industrial engineering at the Austin Plant and, in 2002, he was promoted to Six Sigma project manager. In 2004, he was promoted to manager of Six Sigma and, in 2007, he was promoted to corporate manager of Six Sigma. " ...

Via Hormel Foods: Executive Retirements and Advancements

Manufacturing Leadership Insights

Lean Process Orientation

General transitions his leadership experience and lean process focus into the field of sports. ...

... "When Johnson talked, it was all process. The phrase he uttered more than any other was Lean Six Sigma. " ...

Via ESPN: The General

Chief Lean Officer Focuses on World-Class Efficiency

Intermet Corporation names Bob Flaherty into a newly created position of Chief Lean Officer to lead and mentor the company to world-class levels of efficiency. The new position reports the the CEO, Jeff Mihalic. ...

... "In his new role, Flaherty will work collaboratively with Intermet group presidents and the company's 10 plants to achieve world-class efficiencies while building upon the excellent lean foundation already in place throughout Intermet.

Previously, Flaherty spent nearly eight years at Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Georgetown, Ky., where he held various positions and responsibilities including start up preparation, training of associates on the Toyota Production System, various Production Engineering kaizen initiatives, and management of the stamping plant expansion. " ...

Via Intermet: Bob Flaherty Joins Intermet to Head Lean Initiatives

Quality Evening with Dr Deming

Kaizen Drives Change

Create new habits by incorporating kaizen principles into your life. ...

... "She recommends practicing a Japanese technique called kaizen, which calls for tiny, continuous improvements. " ...

Via New York Times: New Habits

Develop Lean Leaders

In Appleton, Wisconsin, the Lean Leadership Series starts in April. ...

... "The Lean Leadership Development Series is offered by the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP) in cooperation with Fox Valley Technical College. WMEP experts will lead the sessions that meet from 8 a.m. until noon, Tuesdays, April 22 through May 20 at the D.J. Bordini Center, Fox Valley Technical College. " ...

Via Wisconsin Business: Lean Leadership Series

Kaizen Culture Compatible With Pace of Business Change

Does the kaizen culture position an enterprise to deal with the high-pace of business change? Leadership coach discusses managing meaningful change in an organization and the commitment necessary to endure successive waves of change.

... "What is so striking in today's workplaces is the sheer volume of those continuous improvement changes and the rate of change to the changes. " ...

Via Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Leading change

In Memory of Juran Quality

The quality industry loses a leader whose legacy will endure and evolve. ...

... "Dr. Juran had many notable accomplishments in his life. His major contribution to society was in the field of quality management. " ...

Via Quality Mag: Dr. Joseph M. Juran Passing

Demand Flow Technology

GE exec recognized for his leadership ...

... "One of Noonan's lasting legacies was his focus on Lean Manufacturing, known in the 1990s as Demand Flow Technology. He was particularly adept at championing the implementation of state-of-the-art technology that drove continuous improvements. " ...

Via Eagle Tribune: Business briefs

Six Sigma Spoofs Earnings Conference Calls

Here's the wrong way for Six Sigma to elevate to a board-level issue ...

... "Mr. Herrick's questions are usually narrowly focused on details of a company's results from well-known cost-savings techniques such as lean management and Six Sigma, or else supply-chain issues. " ...

Via Wall Street Journal: Hoaxer

Six Sigma Manufacturing Excellence Recognized

The Indianapolis, Indiana based plant of General Cable is recognized for its manufacturing excellence across multiple dimensions. The company culture built on a foundation of principles and uses lean and Six Sigma methods to eliminate waste and defects. ...

... "General Cable was chosen out of 32 companies, who were actually chosen out of 165 other facilities across North America who were nominated as leaders in their industries. " ...

Via Terra Haute Tribune Star: Best Plant in America

Chief Innovation Officer Training

Upcoming event in February 2008 focuses on leading growth through innovation. ...

... "The course, entitled Chief Innovation Officer – Leading your Company's Growth and Performance Initiatives, is a two day Executive Education Program for business leaders who are leading the charge for growth and innovation inside their organizations or who are poised to take on that role. The event is being held in Denver February 25 – 26, 2008. " ...

Via Breakthrough Management Group: Chief Innovation Officer Executive Seminar

Lean Principles Leadership Culture Empowers Employees

Wisconsin manufacturing company sees success from lean principles. The company's leadership committment creates an empowered culture of continuous improvement. The company will be recognized with a manufacturing award this week. ...

... "Lean manufacturing principles, in combination with our strong leadership culture, have allowed PCMC to flourish. We have created a unique environment based on continuous improvement and employee empowerment ... " ...

Via Green Bay Press-Gazette: Wisconsin Manufacturing Success

Gerber Lean Manufacturing System

Gerber appoints experienced leader and lean consultant to its head operations position. This position will continue to dirve adoption of Gerber's lean initiative. ...

... "He has 26 years experience in high technology aerospace and commercial manufacturing, including 17 years with United Technologies' Sikorsky Aircraft Division, where he played a pivotal role in Sikorsky's Lean transformation. Mr. Mele was also a partner with Accenture, where he consulted global high technology manufacturing firms in planning and execution of end-to-end business transformations. Mr. Mele holds an MBA from the University of Connecticut, an MS in Computer and Information Science from the University of New Haven and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Program for Management Development. " ...

Via Gerber Scientific: Senior Vice President, Operations

Aviation Today: Sikorsky: "We will examine a key part of that plan - the company's efforts to adopt lean manufacturing and overhaul its production processes ... "

Six Sigma Innovation Stigma

Bob Nardelli's choice as leader at Chrysler is questioned, as his Six Sigma approach could stifle innovation needed to revive the ailing automaker. ...

... "But as a command-and-control executive, weaned on Six Sigma, Nardelli isn't the obvious leader for a company whose future depends on innovation. " ...

Via Business Week: Chrysler

Customer Satisfaction Essential for GE Leader

GE's Steven Sargent shares his disciplined approach to customer service and life. ...

... "I do use the Six Sigma problem-solving DMAIC methodology - define the problem, measure data inputs, analyse the data, improve the process, control the process - to solve problems at work and at home ... " ...

Via The Age: GE Australia Leader

Textron Promotes SixSigma Leadership From Within

Textron promotes Six Sigma leader. ...

... "Kelley, 51, began her career at Textron with Textron Fastening Systems in 1999, where she held various positions, including vice president, Continuous Improvement and acting vice president of Strategic Planning. She also completed various international assignments, before entering the Textron Six Sigma Black Belt program, where she progressed to become Master Black Belt for Textron's Fastening Systems and Fluid and Power businesses. Most recently, Kelley held the position of Performance Solutions manager for Textron University, where she led the development and deployment of new courses for Textron Six Sigma, Lean and Integrated Supply Chain in support of Textron's heightened focus on talent development. " ...

Via Textron: Lynn Kelley Vice President of Textron Six Sigma

Six Sigma Organizational Effectiveness

Leadership team includes position on organizational effectiveness, building on an foundation of lean six sigma. ...

... "Sean Andersen, as the Leader of Organizational Effectiveness Practices, will be responsible for leading Lean Six Sigma process improvements spanning operations, technology, and implementation. " ...

Via Global Services: Organizationl Effectiveness

Arizona Manufacturers Think Lean

Arizona manufacturing base retools for efficiency, using lean principles to compete globally. Manufacturing leaders are recognized for their performance. ...

... "As a result, many Arizona manufacturers are working on retooling both their staffs and machinery, he said. Now they're thinking in lean manufacturing terms, he said. Is your supply chain moving things efficiently? " ...

Via EastValleyTribune: Arizona Manufacturing

Solectron Lean Manufacturing Success at Guadalajara

Solectron Corporation's Guadalajara, Mexico facility wins the 2007 Shingo Business Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing. Solectron Guadalajara is recognized for demonstrating Lean Six Sigma leadership through operational and process improvements in quality, productivity and efficiency. ...

... "Underscoring the customer value of the Solectron Production System(TM), Solectron's Lean Six Sigma manufacturing methodology, Solectron Guadalajara demonstrated manufacturing excellence, including a significant focus on continuous improvement processes. The entire facility and its employees operate within the company-wide Kaizen culture of continuous improvement, which is at the heart of the Solectron Production System, or SPS. SPS helps OEMs improve quality and efficiency, reduce waste, lower cost and improve flexibility. " ...

Via Solectron: Solectron Receives Prestigious Shingo Award for Lean Manufacturing Excellence ...

Leadership: Six Sigma Roadmap

National Home Furnishings Association plans leadership symposium that will include excellence in Six Sigma. ...

... "Joseph Wexler, who helped create a Six Sigma Total Quality Management System involving more than 5,000 participants in three years at Dell, on Six Sigma Methodology: The Roadmap and Tools. " ...

Via Furniture Today: Leadership Symposium