Valuable Information

as you begin the Lean transformation

Looking for More?

  • Sharing improvement opportunities with AVEX company leadership, Nagoya Japan
  • Some of the Drive team at the Kata Summit.
  • Chapman leading problem solving workshop
  • Manny Baerga with Mike Rother.
  • Chapman leads a kanban sizing discussion
  • Coaching Kata Event
  • Drive members with Mr. Kato the Chairman of AVEX Corporation, Aichi Japan
  • Defining format of a project A3
  • Meeting with some of the Masters of Maintenance

Newsletter Archive

Review our complete Newsletter Archive with Series Synopsis and PDF download click here

Lean Manufacturing

We succinctly define Lean as a system to  identify and solve problems utilizing all of your people.  A startling statistic is  that 70% of companies who have embarked upon a Lean Journey are dissatisfied  with the results they’ve achieved (McKenzie & Bain study).  Why is this? The biggest reason is the  misconception that Lean is nothing more than a set of tools.   It is typical to think it is a matter of  tools and endeavor to learn and implement the Lean tools, not understanding  that each Lean tool is a countermeasure to a specific problem (this is a  profoundly important point).  Part of the  fault lies with the term “Lean Manufacturing” itself. That term was coined to  market the Toyota Production System (TPS) to western manufacturers. In  addition, much of the early teaching on the subject in the USA was focused on  the implementation of Lean Tools. If we had kept the original name, it would  have clued us in to the fact that what we are talking about here is a System (a  holistic system, at that), not a collection of independent tools.

Continuous Improvement (Kaizen) Philosophy

A key component to the successful implementation of Lean Manufacturing philosophy is Kaizen. It comes from the Japanese words 改 ("kai") which means "change" or "to correct" and 善 ("zen") which means "good." The word Kaizen means "continuous improvement."

Policy Management (Hoshin Kanri)

A Japanese phrase that means setting and controlling direction. Some translate it as “Policy Deployment” but a more accurate term is “Policy Management.” There are three basic components of Hoshin Kanri. The first is setting goals, the second is creating a detailed plan to meet the goals, and the third is putting in place a system to ensure the detailed plan is executed in the planned timing, with the planned results. As the name implies, Hoshin Kanri aligns an organization toward accomplishing a single goal.

Visit Our Service Partners

ABCO Automation – Custom Assembly Equipment and Automation
Advoco – Enterprise Asset Management
Brady ID – Label printers and Other Visual Factory Solutions
Closser Lubrication Services – Equipment/Automated Lubrication Programs
Creospan – Information and Technology Consulting, Wireless Network Engineering and Deployment
The Kidder Group – Professional Recruiting
Modular Management – Modularity and Strategic Product Architecture
Penrod Services – CAD Drafting and Design Services
QLS, Quality Leadership Systems – Industry Certifications (QS, TS, ISO) and Audits
Storeroom Solutions Inc. – Indirect Materials Management

Speaking Engagements

The leadership team of Drive Inc. is also available for both private and public speaking engagements. As industry experts with hundreds of success stories and anecdotes, we offer a unique perspective on business transformation.

-Keynote Speakers
-Local, Regional, National and International Seminars
-Professional Societies Guest Speaker

-University Guest Speakers
-Corporate Education

Looking for More?