Kaizen Facilitation Education Opportunity

Workshop teaches you to facilitate Kaizen and is scheduled for September 25, at Northeast State Technical Community College. ...

... "The Kaizen Facilitator Training Workshop will teach production and support personnel, who will be strongly involved in leading and the success of Kaizen events, a standard Kaizen process that can be used for implementing lean manufacturing tools, such as quick changeover, 5S, cellular/layout and TPM. " ...

Via Tri-Cities, Tennessee: Workshop Details

Kaizen Medical Performance

The NHS changes the way it works to make sure patients always come first, using kaizen methods to engage and empower their workforce. ...

... "Scores of frontline staff were asked to submit their ideas on improving the way the NHS is run under a new lean management scheme. " ...

Via Scotsman: NHS Recognized For Kaizen Approach

Six Sigma Benchmarking with Industry Leaders

Martin Guitar learns valuable improvement principles from benchmarking with Air Products. ...

... "Tools: Having techniques that are used to tackle waste and empower performance. Some examples include mapping, mistake-proofing, Six Sigma, kaizen and flow. " ...

Via IndustryWeek: Martin Guitar

Ariens Kaizen

Kaizen practitioner reaches 1000th kaizen blitz event. ...

... "Ariens Company employees recently conducted the 1,000th kaizen event aimed at reducing waste within the operation. " ...

Via Landscape Management: 1000th kaizen event

Kaizen Enables Hospital Improvements

Hospital sees benefits from kaizen approach to continuous improvement, where the workforce is empowered to seek change. ...

... "Columbus Regional Hospital in Columbus, Ind., focused on changing the culture and environment in its surgical area to improve operations. Practice changes were driven by stringent data analysis, as well some newer methodologies, including Lean Six Sigma and Kaizen. " ...

Via Infection Control Today: Hospital Efficiency

Small Continuous Change, Entrepreneurs Toolbox

Entrepreneurs can sustain business success by enrolling the workforce in many, small improvements, using the kaizen style of management. ...

... "Shortly after World War II, Japanese companies created a management concept called Kaizen. The concept of Kaizen is to make small continuous changes and it includes everyone from the CEO to the janitors. " ...

Via USA Today: Entrepreneur Advice on Business Success

Lean Methods Fuel Fervor For Continuous Improvement

Lean methodology enables manufacturing or service companies to improve the enterprise. ...

... "Kaizen, or lean improvement events, and, when facilitated properly, they can be powerful. Everyone involved feels a part of the success of the event and many thirst for more. " ...

Via Appleton Post-Crescent: Lean Methods

Kaizen Change Empowers Shopfloor

TriMas Corp embraces kaizen principles as it shifts accountability for continuous improvement to shopfloor workforce. ...

... "In 2006 it was the inaugural winner of the Toyota Kaizen Blitz Marathon for reducing waste levels. The changes generally happen in a short order of time, Mr Saunders said. And from the perspective of management it empowers people doing the job to make a change. Kaizen change is driven by shop floor or office employees. " ...

Via Star News: TriMas Corp Goes Lean

Kaizen Learning, A Way of Life

Want a better life? ... learn (or kaizen) ...

... "In the Japanese culture, continuous learning (they call it kaizen) is a key part of their lives. It's a belief that life is a journey and that knowledge can and should increase with every step taken. " ...

Via Community Press: Lifetime Learning

Reinvent Automotive Production Through Lean Manufacturing

Does the Chrysler sale offer opportunity to challenge Toyota for lean leadership? Will private capital have the patience for long-term methodologies, like kaizen and lean? We shall see. ...

... "And it is the chance of a lifetime for a car company to reinvent itself, to out-Toyota Toyota in lean manufacturing and vehicle quality. " ...

Via USATODAY: Chrysler Sale

Lean Training Goes On Tour

Lean culture differentiates Japanese from US companies.

... "Instead of paying people to retire, a likely Japanese alternative would be to put people on kaizen (continuous improvement) teams, capitalizing on their experience and problem solving potential instead of paying them to stay at home. ... World Class Manufacturing is not a short-term concept. Justifying the hard work and application of resources to the improvement process is difficult if the focus is on quarterly reports. A fundamentally change in the way success is measured must be adopted if our economy is to remain viable and sustainable. " ...

Toyota Continues their March Past US Automakers: Lean Enterprise Training Announces Six City Tour Kicks off in Oregon ...

Lean or Kaizen: How to Choose Right Tool

Upcoming seminar discusses choosing the right tool for your operational excellence challenge. ...

... "Six Sigma, Lean, or Kaizen? Using the Right Tool for the Right Problem, Live Internet Broadcast, Sponsored by SAP, in association with Intel and HP, Thursday, January 11, 2007 - 2:00 p.m. EST " ...

Via IndustryWeek: Using the Right Tool for the Right Problem

Toyota Kaizen Poised to Eclipse GM

Toyota, built on a foundation of kaizen, is set to eclipse GM based on its business plan forecast for 2007. ...

... "Toyota's rise also would prove a victory of sorts for its unique corporate culture, the so-called Toyota Way, which is rooted in an obsession with craftsmanship and constant improvement, or kaizen. " ...

Via St Louis Today: Business

India Kaizen: Automotive Manufacturing

India automotive manufacturing uses kaizen techniques to drive benefits. ...

... "In areas like factory layout and selection of equipment, production and quality control systems, kaizen and suggestion schemes, and the importance of training, Maruti followed Suzuki's advice with great benefit. " ...

Via Business Standard: Read

Kaizen: Deming Philosophy

Modern Postcard has the mindset for success, incorporating lean thinking into its methods for continuous improvement. ...

... "Hoffman also subscribes to W. Edwards Deming's philosophy of statistical process control, as well as to kaizen, the Japanese term for change for the better or improvement used in lean-manufacturing circles. " ...

Via Graphic Arts Monthly: Kaizen: Deming Philosophy: Picture Perfect

LeanSixSigma: Danaher Business System

Accenture partner discusses the transformation that is achieved through Lean Six Sigma implementation. Sustaining high performance that translates into ongoing profitability is the goal. And, lean manufacturing principles become the enterprise's diet. ...

... "At the level of daily management, kaizen events employ a diverse range of operational efficiency tools – including Six Sigma and value-mapping techniques – to eliminate such sources of waste as excess inventory, waiting time, overproduction and quality defects. " ...

Via The Manufacturer: Link

Toyota Kaizen Culture: Texas Style

Toyota Texas plant builds new Tundra truck with kaizen culture ...

... "Reminders of the automaker's culture of kaizen -- or continuous improvement -- are everywhere as workers with Team Texas badges run slow-speed test production of the Tundra ... " ...

Via Reuters UK: Link

Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce info on Toyota Texas Plant ...

5S Program: Kaizen Compatible ...

Kaizen and 5S techniques leveraged together for success ...

... "First we have the kaizen improvement techniques and the 5S housekeeping program which are two effective productivity tools the company has in place, he said. " ...

Via Fiji Times: A tale of achievement ...

Manufacturing Engineer Position: Understand Kaizen ...

Open position requires kaizen understanding ...

... "Requires a BS in Engineering and a minimum 5-9 years of experience in a manufacturing environment with heavy emphasis cost savings through improved processing. An understanding of Cellular Manufacturing, KanBan, Kaizen, Take time, Single Part Flow, Visual management, Poka-Yoke and 5's required. " ...

Via Spokesman Review: Link

Kaizen Toyota Corolla Dependabiity ...

Toyota Corolla's dependability is a result of relentless focus on continuous improvement through kaizen. ...

... "Every process -- from assembly operations to the paint shop, from bringing in parts to loading finished cars on trucks or trains -- has been refined. Toyota calls it kaizen, or continuous improvement. " ...

Via SanJose Mercury: The bestselling car ever

Kaizen Collaboration for Continuous Improvement ...

Evening seminar this Thursday on creating a kaizen culture ...

... "This Thursday: The Buffalo Section of the American Society for Quality, 5:30 p.m., Classics V Banquet and Conference Center, 2425 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst. Program: Kaizen: Creating a Culture of Collaboration for Continual Improvement, presented by Dave Hallett, Insyte Consulting. " ...

Via Buffalo News: Business calendar ...

Government Kaizen Initiative

Local authority uses kaizen methods to improve services and their success is recognized. ...

... "Following recognition at national level, Aberdeenshire Council's Kaizen initiative is now a beacon of excellence across Europe after taking an international award for continuous improvement.

The Aberdeenshire approach on this theme is based on the Kaizen model. Kaizen is a Japanese expression meaning making something as good as it can be and the process engages teams of employees in concentrated blitzes to identify more efficient ways of working. The exercise has been driven by Chief Executive Alan Campbell and his Senior Management Team since 2004, and is supported by facilitators in all of the council services and Kaizen Champion Pat Browne. For each blitz undertaken, a team leader is appointed and in turn selects a team of between 10 and 14 people who are close to the process to be improved. " ...

Via Aberdeenshire Council: Aberdeenshire Blitzes competition to take European award ...

Automotive Manufacturing: Kaizen Methodology

Bentley manufacturing event will examine success through methods such as kaizen. ...

... "At Bentley on 18 October, manufacturing managers from across Britain will be examining how attaining high levels of production excellence by applying world class standards and techniques like Japanese-inspired kaizen methodology can lift the sector out of the doldrums. They will also have the opportunity to visit the Bentley production line. " ...

Via The Manufacturing Alliance: The exclusive network for senior management in engineering ...

Kaizen System: Perform to the Next Level ...

The lean kaizen approach to continuous improvement is just what the doctor ordered to enable an organization to achieve the next level of performance. Article discusses the successful formula applied by Toyota and other manufacturing companies, that can translate to organizations in other industries. ...

... "Based on Kaizen, which means continuous improvement, it is a systematic approach to identifying and eliminating waste. " ...

Via American Venture Magazine: When you are on the Plateau ...

Kaizen Delivery Improvement Recognized by Toyota ...

Toyota recognizes the Hub Group for reducing its variability in on-time delivery. Hub's achievement in delivery improvement is celebrated by Toyota with its Kaizen Challenge Award. The two companies worked collaboratively to enable this accomplishment. ...

... "Hub Group, Inc. has been awarded Toyota's prestigious North American Parts Operations (NAPO) 2006 Kaizen Challenge Award. Kaizen is a critical component of the Toyota Production System (TPS) management practice, and this award recognizes Hub Group not only for its ability to work in partnership with Toyota management, but for significant performance and efficiency improvements achieved in product deliveries to Toyota's U.S. Parts Delivery Centers (PDCs) across the country.

The kaizen team, comprised of both Hub Group and Toyota professionals, was able to significantly reduce bunching (the tendency for inbound container volumes arriving at PDCs to fluctuate unevenly throughout the week), improve on-time performance (from not-late to not-late and not-early), and to reduce costs by eliminating rail detention and storage for the Toyota PDCs. As a result of the success of this initiative, additional Toyota PDCs have been added to the program. Since Kaizen is a continuing process, further improvements will be explored and documented throughout Toyota’s PDC system. " ...

Via Hub Group: Hub Group Earns Toyota 2006 Kaizen Challenge Award

Hub Group, Inc. is a leading asset-light freight transportation management company providing comprehensive intermodal, truckload brokerage and logistics services.

Kaizen Events: Employee Involvement ...

Metaldyne involves their workforce in continuous improvement through kaizen events. ...

... "In addition, employees participated in 26 Kaizen group events in 2005 to improve all aspects of the operation. Another key driver was a preventative maintenance initiative in each department. " ...

Via Inside INdiana Business: Indiana Companies Honored For Productivity ...

Kaizen Continuous Improvement Uses RFID in Manufacturing ...

Research indicates manufacturing companies leverage RFID technology to support continuous improvement methods, including streamlining their supply chains. ...

... "Topping the list is the trend toward lean manufacturing, a methodology that attempts to drive all waste out of manufacturing processes by employing such tactics as just-in-time inventory to ensure goods arrive for production when needed rather than ending up as inventory. " ...

Via RFID Journal: Forecast Indicates Strong RFID Demand by Heavy Manufacturing ...

Lean Kaizen: Team Drives Improvements ...

Kiesler Enterprises, a high-end custom cabinetry manufacturer, uses lean techniques to optimize performance for high growth and efficiency. ...

... "We also conducted Kaizens, short bursts of activity that result in significant improvements with the team. The Kaizen process helped redefine the relationship and interaction between sales and drafting. Both departments now combine resources and steps, said Joseph Murcko, project manager for the Arizona MEP. " ...

Via Yahoo: Custom Cabinetry Company Builds with Lean ...

The Arizona MEP is an affiliate of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under the U.S. Department of Commerce. The national MEP is a network of manufacturing extension centers that provide business and technical assistance to smaller manufacturers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Through MEP, manufacturers have access to more than 2000 manufacturing and business coaches whose job is to help firms make changes that lead to greater productivity, increased profits, and enhanced global competitiveness.

Manufacturing Data: Kaizen Display ...

Magnatag display kiosk provides kaizen manufacturing information ...

... "We use it for health and safety, productivity, quality, and Kaizen information, says the manufacturing administrator at a Texas chemical plant. " ...

Via Control Engineering: Display puts information where it needs to be ...

Lean Culture Gaining Momentum ...

Survey of quality programs shows preference for lean manufacturing model. ...

... "When asked to specify the productivity/quality improvement programme currently being used, surveyed manufacturers in the UK and US put lean at the top of their list; the Germans and Mexicans preferred ISO certification, while Brazilian manufacturers gave their biggest vote to kaizen. " ...

Via The Manufacturer: Western nations thrive on lean manufacturing ...

Kaizen: Sony Toyota Quality Problems

Revered for their kaizen quality programs, Toyota and Sony suffer from quality problems ...

... "For a time, American and European executives flocked here to learn Japanese quality-control concepts like kaizen, or improvement. " ...

Via International Herald Tribune: Recalls by Toyota and Sony shock Japan's pride ...

Kaizen Events: Early 5S Wins Sustain Momentum in Lean Journey ...

The lean implementation is valuable in the long run, however, early successes through kaizen events and 5S work delivers short-term gains that sustain the journey. ...

... "Almost always, there are immediate returns from the preliminary 5S process of getting every area shipshape. The same goes for early kaizen events that overhaul barnacled processes. " ...

Via Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: Going lean brings long-term payoffs

Kaizen Teian: Philippine Workers Slow to Adopt ...

Philippine workers slow to adopt kaizen techniques that value workers ideas to further continuous improvement. ...

... "Kaizen teian (employee suggestion) is very much a designated favorite mental sport in every Japanese corporation. " ...

Via ABS-CBN: Why can't managers get the best employee ideas?

Kaizen teian: "Kaizen Teian suggestions are usually small-scale ones, in the worker's own area, and are easy and cheap to implement. Key points are that the rewards given are small, and implementation is rapid ... "

Kaizen Ethos: Wagamama

Kaizen ethos pervades Wagamama ...

... "Wagamama was founded in 1992 by Alan Yau, a former McDonald's franchisee in Hong Kong who used kaizen — the Japanese ethos of continual improvement — as his guiding philosophy. " ...

Via Times: Wagamama to go it alone in Boston ...

Toyota Kaizen Cultural Strength ...

Toyota's culture enables its kaizen success ...

... "Some of its strengths are cultural ones shared by the best Japanese companies. These include a respect for lifelong learning that aids kaizen, or continuous improvement. In addition, a consensus management style, combined with a Confucian respect for hierarchy, allows the rapid implementation of decisions. " ...

Toyota Kaizen Cultural Strength: Via Autoweek: The Roots of Toyota's Strength ...

Kaizen Events Kanban Discipline Outperforms Expectations ...

Investment VP sees company's kaizen experience as enabling expectations to be outperformed. ...

... "Since our initial investment Breeze has obtained three new patents, centralized materials purchasing, instituted Kaizen events that have led to cost reductions and adopted Kanban disciplines to streamline inventory management, said American Capital Vice President Helen Yang. As a result, it has significantly reduced its leverage and impressively outperformed our expectations. This quick de-levering, coupled with the Company's attractive growth prospects and continued cost reductions have created conditions for a dividend recapitalization. American Capital first invested in Breeze in August 2004, supporting Wind Point's acquisition. Founded in 1948 in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, Breeze invented and patented the first worm-drive hose clamp, which uses a worm screw configuration to tighten, seal and connect pipes and tubes. " ...

Kaizen Events Kanban Discipline Outperforms Expectations: Via American Capital: American Capital Invests $52 Million in Portfolio Company Breeze Industrial Products Corporation



Breeze Industrial Products Corporation with facilities in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, Auburn Hills, Michigan and Frittlingen Germany, is a leading global supplier of proprietary and patented steel clamps for the heavy duty truck, automotive, and industrial markets. Offering 13 product lines for varied clamping applications, the Company sells approximately 13,000 different SKUs marketed under the Breeze, Torca, and Clamp-All brands.

Kaizen Blitz Momentum Builder

Navy accelerates momentum in AirSpeed lean practices through increase the volume of kaizen blitz events. ...

... "Q: How do we increase mass in AIRSpeed? A: Through kaizen blitz - multiple rapid improvements done by multiple participants simultaneously. " ...

Via Kaizen 10 in 10: building AIRSpeed momentum

AirSpeed kaizen reference ...

NAVAIR AIRSpeed Definitions: "Kaizen is a method for accelerating the pace of process improvement in any setting. It is typically a rapid (1 week or less) intense event where progress is made through all of the Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control steps. This requires preparatory work completed on the Define step and even sometimes the Measure step by a small team led by a team leader and a Black Belt. The rest of the work is done by a full group where the participants work ONLY on the project and are relieved of responsibilities. "

Kaizen Visibility ...

... "The most impressive activity in the company is a strong participation in KAIZEN ... I could see many signs of this process by notes on the boards and travelers in the main meeting room, where activities are displayed. Everybody is aware of recent progresses and next targets. " ...

Kaizen Visibility: Via EMSNow: Dominique Numakura Newsletter from Japan ...

Kaizen Passion: Ingredient for Manufacturing Excellence ...

You know you are on the path to excellence when the workforce exhibits these behaviors after a kaizen event ...

... "when empowered, fully-engaged machine operators extol the results of a recent kaizen event and cite the time and money they've saved the plant, the company and the customer. " ...

Via IndustryWeek : Editor's Page -- Building A Passion For Manufacturing Excellence

Kaizen Implementation StockerYale ...

Kaizen implementation is undertaken by Stocker ...

... "The operating loss for the second quarter was $0.7 million versus $0.9 million in 2005, excluding stock-based compensation expense of $0.1 million and asset impairment charges in 2005 of $0.6 million, a 17% improvement. Research and development expenses of $0.7 million, were 3% lower than the second quarter of 2005. Selling expenses increased 24% to $0.6 million due to increased marketing and sales activities in the U.S. and Europe and FX impact in Canada. General and administrative expense rose 16% due to the expensing of stock based compensation resulting from the Company's adoption of FAS123R and consulting expenses related to Kaizen implementation in Montreal. " ...

Via StockerYale: StockerYale Announces Second Quarter 2006 Financial Results

Kaizen Supply Chain ...

Supply chain successes discussed ...

... "Siemens changed the way it did business by adopting kaizen techniques and total quality management. This is a shining example of how changed supply chain methodologies can actually influence the bottom line and increase the company’s value. " ...

Supply Chains: Reinventions, Successes, and Failures ...

Kaizen Accelerates Production ...

Kaizen quality initiative complements Christie's production acceleration. ...

... "As part of its aggressive expansion in manufacturing capacity, Christie is also hiring additional technical and administrative staff that includes electronics, mechanical and optical engineers, technicians and industry experts. Christie has also implemented rigorous in-house educational and training programs designed to further maximize efficiency levels, streamline production, and deliver quality control standards that are among the highest in the industry. This includes an extensive global quality initiative and continuous improvements through Kaizen practices to ensure consistent conformance to customer expectations, while maintaining the highest standards of quality. " ...

Via Christie: Christie Ramps Up Projector Production as Digital Cinema Contracts Surge Worldwide ...

Kaizen Team Leaders Guide ...

BMG enhances the kaizen event for team leaders with updated guide. ...

... "This guide, co-authored by BMG Lean Master William Wes Waldo, and Lean Master/co-inventor of the SCORE methodology Tom Jones, provides users with the roadmap, tools, templates, and skills needed for moving efficiently through the SCORE process. Kaizen, meaning change for the better in Japanese, is used in Lean transformations to break down the project mentality of an organization and create a bias toward action. SCORE (Select, Clarify, Organize, Run & Evaluate) is BMG's methodology for implementing effective Kaizen events that really do change a company for the better. SCORE expands Lean's traditional Kaizen event with four additional improvement steps, adding critical project selection, planning and evaluation to the traditional running of an event." ...

Via BMG: Breakthrough Management Group Publishes First Comprehensive Team Leader's Guide to Lean Kaizen Events

Kaizen Streamlines Accounts Payable ...

The paper based business processes of accounts payable could benefit from kaizen streamlining. ...

... "Most manufacturers realize the benefits of applying good process automation, lean manufacturing, and performing Kaizen Events for their operations. The same principles, in fact, can be applied to perform firm-wide process improvements, starting with Accounts Payable (AP), where paper piles typically begin. " ...

Kaizen Streamlines Accounts Payable: Via ECM: Streamlining AP Through Effective Document Management

Toyota Kaizen Obeya Room ...

Delphi Corporation and The Furukawa Electric Company collaborate to support Toyota's R&D and manufacturing divisions with a new facility, local staff, and a kaizen strategy for success. ...

... "The facility allows for greater flexibility in creating a tailored product for Toyota, which is strengthened by close contact and coordination. The facility also has an Obeya room where a cross-functional team can come together to solve problems quickly as part of Toyota's Kaizen approach to project management. " ...

Toyota Kaizen Obeya Room: Via Delphi: Delphi Furukawa Opens Customer Service Center in Ann Arbor ...

Definition of Obeya room ...

Via Lean Product Development from TBM Consulting Group - The Process: "Obeya: Big room – bringing all the people into one room to make critical decisions. "

The Toyota Way: Via Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "They are no more obvious than in the project room, or obeya where concise charts show the state of the project."

Lean 5S Tool Upgraded ...

Lean Toolkit upgraded ...

... "Kaizen Products LLC released its 5S ActionPack product upgrade. Designed to serve those getting started in Toyota Production System methods, the $349.00 multi-media training kit is now available. The 5S principles are a fundamental tool of the Toyota Production System, recognized world wide as a model of operational excellence. The 5S practice of Sort, Straighten, Sweep, Standardize and Self-Discipline are essential to establishing and maintain safety, quality, on-time delivery and productivity in any workplace. " ...

Lean 5S Tool Upgraded: Kaizen Products Releases 5S ActionPack Upgrade – Designed for the Lean Manufacturing DIY Market, New Version Contains Quick Reference Guides, Wallet Cards and Red Tags ...

Toyota Kaizen Improvement Leads in Stamping Labor Productivity ...

Toyota kaizen process allows its to maintain leadership in productivity measures, according to recent Harbour Consulting report North American automaker performance. ...

... "Toyota again led in stamping labor productivity, although its 1.42 stamping hours per vehicle degraded 3.6% from 2004. Toyota regained the lead in press productivity with a record 792 average parts per hour. Harbour uses a stamping index that weighs each of several measures in a process that creates a composite score of stamping productivity. On that basis, Toyota's Cambridge stamping shop ranked first, followed by Toyota Georgetown, Honda East Liberty, Honda Marysville and Toyota Princeton. Of the 10 best stamping plants, Toyota had three; Honda, two; DaimlerChrysler, Ford, General Motors, Nissan and NUMMI, one each. In total stamping labor productivity Nissan ranked third, behind CAMI, with 2.11 HPV. Chrysler Group was fifth (behind NUMMI), improving 6.7% to 2.64 HPV. As in assembly, Toyota is among the best in the industry, said Harbour. It is not a matter of spending more than competitors. It reflects regular kaizen improvement activities and the flexibility that comes with well coordinated engineering and manufacturing. Ford has also shown a renewed commitment to upgrade its stamping technology after several years of limited investment, and its performance is showing a steady climb despite aging equipment. " ...

Via Harbour Consulting: PRODUCTIVITY GAP AMONG NORTH AMERICAN AUTOMAKERS NARROWS IN HARBOUR REPORT 2006 (PDF) ...

Kaizen Creator Addresses Conference ...

Masaaki Imai addresses Logistics Conference ...

... "Mr Imai is the globally renowned lean guru and a pioneer in leading the Kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement which has it roots in the automotive manufacturing industry. " ...

Via Ferret: Father of Kaizen visits Australia

Kaizen Events Kickoff Operational Excellence Program ...

MITY reports a good quarter and strong year, as it balances growth with operational efficiency. Just starting its kaizen events, you could expect it to deliver significant efficiencies over the next few years as Lean Six Sigma techniques work their magic. ...

... "To enhance our innovative chair offering, this quarter we introduced two new chair lines: the SwiftSet Courtside folding chair and the SwiftSet HDTM high density stacking chair. Both chair lines were in response to customer requests and expand our offering into previously untapped opportunities. In addition, we continue to focus on improving our operational excellence by implementing lean and six sigma manufacturing techniques. We are just starting to see some results from our efforts and, recently, had our first series of Kaizen events. " ...

Kaizen Events Kickoff Operational Excellence Program: Via Mity Enterprises: MITY ENTERPRISES, INC. ANNOUNCES RESULTS FOR FOURTH FISCAL QUARTER AND YEAR END ...

Kenworth Kaizen Events: Manufacturing Plant of the Year ...

Kenworth's manufacturing plant of the year uses high-impact kaizen events to build quality trucks. ...

... "Kenworth Truck Company's plant in Chillicothe, Ohio, has been named Quality Magazine's Plant of the Year in the large plant category of over 250 employees. Quality Magazine's June issue cover story will feature the award-winning Kenworth-Chillicothe plant, which has produced over 270,000 trucks since it was opened in 1974. The plant produces Kenworth's T600, T800, T2000 and W900 models and maintains ISO 9001:2000 quality certification. Kenworth-Chillicothe uses innovative technologies, such as paperless build instructions, electronic data collection, digitally controlled tooling, and cab harness electrical tests, combined with extensive use of Six Sigma, high impact Kaizen events and other process improvements to help produce premium, high-quality trucks. " ...

Kenworth Kaizen Events: Manufacturing Plant of the Year: Via Kenworth Truck Company: Kenworth's Chillicothe, Ohio Plant Named Quality Magazine's Large Plant of Year ...

United Technologies Kaizen CEO ..

United Technologies CEO is recognized for his leadership, which includes a strond foundation of kaizen principles. ...

... "He delved deeply into kaizen, the process by which Japanese corporations seek to constantly improve product quality while bolstering manufacturing efficiency and curbing waste. " ...

United Technologies Kaizen CEO: House of David (United Technologies): Via SmartMoney ...

Kaizen Team: Lean Initiative for Laser Production ...

... "Mark Blodgett, President and Chief Executive Officer, announced that StockerYale's Montreal manufacturing facility has implemented a lean manufacturing initiative for its laser production lines. Lasers represent approximately 80% of the revenues generated in this facility. The Montreal site selected a cross functional team and worked with Bell Nordic, a Canadian consulting and training firm, on team leadership and self-directed work team training. The Company chose Bell Nordic to facilitate employee empowerment and mobilization for the Kaizen approach to lean manufacturing. After training, the Kaizen team implemented a revamped process flow for better customer response through shorter cycle times, improved product quality and for reduced waste costs from scrap, rework and warranty expense. Additional continuous improvement projects underway this quarter will complete a 5 S manufacturing environment and streamline strategic processes. " ...

Kaizen Team: Lean Initiative for Laser Production: Via StockerYale: StockerYale Announces Lean Manufacturing Initiative

StockerYale, Inc., headquartered in Salem , New Hampshire , is an independent designer and manufacturer of structured light lasers, LED modules, and specialty optical fibers for industry leading OEMs. In addition, the company manufactures fluorescent lighting products and phase masks. The Company serves a wide range of markets including the machine vision, industrial inspection, defense, telecommunication, sensors, and medical markets.

Toyota Kaizen Supplier Awards ...

CHD Meridian is recognized for kaizen supplier performance by Toyota. ...

... "A supplier for nearly seven years, CHD Meridian was honored by TMMK with the Supplier Kaizen Award for continuous improvement. Meridian provides TMMK team members with on-site health care, occupational health, acute and emergency care and oversees the operation of our pharmacy. Meridian recently participated in a practical kaizen activity in which they completed a standardized work assessment for all health centers at TMMK. " ...

Toyota Kaizen Supplier Awards: Via TMMK Toyota Georgetown: Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky Honors Ten Suppliers: Seven Suppliers from Kentucky ...

Kaizen Improvement: Toyota Prius Project ...

Toyota kaizen at the heart of the Prius project ...

... "In many ways, the Prius project appears to be a textbook example of Toyota's much-vaunted, much-imitated internal management system and its mantra of kaizen, or continuous improvement, in which top executives steadily ratchet up performance standards for their employees, while also listening closely to suggestions and emphasizing consensus. " ...

Kaizen Improvement: Toyota Prius Project: Via Scripps Howard: Successful gamble with Prius fuels Toyota's trendsetter image ...

Kaizen Operational Process Design ...

Leader addresses product and operational design with kaizen ...

... "Then we question what we can do to take some waste points out of their processes. These sessions with our customers are similar to kaizen events we have on our own factory floor. " ...

Kaizen Operational Process Design: Via NAM: Small and Medium Manufacturers Speak Up, #3

Kaizen Principles Core Values ...

MTD leaders embrace kaizen principles as part of the enterprise's core values. ...

... "Mike and I both worked many years for a major Japanese electronics company before starting MTD Systems, said Dave Tansek. We learned an important concept that the Japanese call Kaizen, it was a trendy word to use in the '90s but our company has taken it as one of our core values. It roughly means a constant and never ending improvement. We try to look at our products everyday and apply the Kaizen principals to them. " ...

Via MTD Systems: MTD Systems Pre-NAB Product Review and Update

Kaizen Energy Efficiency Plan ...

Kaizen enables energy efficiency plan ...

... "This not only saves time, it also gives the energy plan instant credibility. As examples, Toyota uses its Kaizen-based continuous improvement process. " ...

Kaizen Energy Efficiency Plan: Energy Expert: A sound energy business plan: Via Plant Services ...

Kaizen Principles: Japan's Export ...

Kaizen principles are being exported from Japan ...

... "Lewis said Japanese carmakers had brought high-tech skills into the country and their working practices - including kaizen, which encourages small daily improvements in production - had permeated throughout the industry. " ...

Kaizen Principles: Japan's Export: Via Sydney Morning Herald: Japan to produce over 50% of UK's cars ...

Perfect Lean Manufacturing Resume ...

... "Lean manufacturing training and/or certification; a black belt or other significant training in quality; and continuous improvement or kaizen experience are desirable. " ...

Perfect Lean Manufacturing Resume: Via About HR: My Favorite Resume Cover Letter

Kaizen Pursuit Continuous Improvement ...

Toyota's foundation is kaizen, the pursuit of continuous improvement ...

... "Toyota's principles are reflected in the production methods it made famous, such as kaizen, or continuous pursuit of improvement, which means workers on the ground are entrusted and empowered to figure out better ways of making cars and fixing problems on the line. " ...

Kaizen Pursuit Continuous Improvement: Toyota workers learn knack of auto production in new global push: Via MSN-Mainichi Daily News ...

Lean Terms Defined ...

Definitions for key lean terms ...

... "Kaizen: Continuous improvement of the manufacturing process to create more value with less waste. " ...

Lean Terms Defined: Via courant: Lean Terms ...