PHILADELPHIA - (Business Wire) Leading advanced manufacturing companies in the Philadelphia region are expected to converge on the Whitemarsh Valley Country Club December 10, 2009 to hear case study presentations, and “lessons learned” on the benefits of process improvement. The event, hosted by the Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center (DVIRC), will showcase three local manufacturing companies who used Lean Transformation to increase productivity, the challenges they faced, and the significant return on investment achieved in the midst of a brutal recession. Profiles of a Lean Transformation, part of DVIRC’s Manufacturing Leadership Series, will share the stories of three diverse manufacturers who committed to lean principles. They include: Thomas Medical Products, Inc., a GE Healthcare Company and precision Class II and Class III single-use device designer and manufacturer, which grew sales 25 percent and achieved $1.2 million in cost savings; Probes Unlimited, Inc., a small specialized contract manufacturer of temperature probe assemblies which maintained zero layoffs and grew its domestic business; and Met-Pro Corporation, a multi-plant, global manufacturer of product recovery and pollution control equipment as well as fluid handling and filtration products, which achieved a 25 percent gain in productivity, $1 million in cost savings, and higher gross profit margins.
“The Series is designed to share best practice solutions with small-to-medium sized manufacturers,” says Mark Basla, vice president of marketing and business development for DVIRC. “What better way than to present real stories from business leaders that have overcome challenges and achieved measurable success?” Basla continued, "As an economic development organization, we help manufacturers compete and grow in the global economy. Our Manufacturing Leadership Series provides ongoing education in two critical areas: growth strategies and operational excellence.”
In addition to the company presentations, DVIRC’s staff of certified Lean consultants will offer a free assessment for interested manufacturers.
Lean is a systematic approach to identifying and eliminating waste (non-value added activities) and creating value for the customer. Unfortunately, most firms only adopt tactical Lean “tools”, and rarely gain the full and lasting benefits possible. This is the result of poor leadership support, and limited employee education.
DVIRC is a recognized industry leader in Lean Transformation consulting – combining “soft skill” learning and development with lean and six sigma methodologies. DVIRC’s approach to Lean is based on the fundamental premise that executive and management involvement and empowerment are necessary to align and change organizational culture into a world-class manufacturer. Jeff Kopenitz, DVIRC’s Director of Advanced Manufacturing is a Lean Master and has studied at Shingijutsu in Japan under the direction of Yoshiki Iwata, Chihiro Nakao and Akira Takenaka, pupils of Taiichi Ohno, creator of the Toyota Production System. Each Lean expert is certified through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). DVIRC’s lean practice was established in 1993, and the Institute for World-Class Manufacturing (IWCM) in 1995, providing high performance individual and team based learning and certification programs.
Lean Transformation typifies the best in leadership, culture, strategy and operational excellence that define highly successful manufacturers today. DVIRC has right-sized and executed more than 600 projects for very small, 30 person firms, to large multi-plant global businesses working on three continents.
Profiles of a Lean Transformation will be held from 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at the Whitemarsh Valley Country Club ballroom and will include a full gourmet breakfast, company case study presentations, audience question and answers as well as a networking session. In keeping with the Holiday season, charitable donations of a new unwrapped toy are being collected for the People’s Emergency Center in lieu of a $25 event fee.
Registration for the event is being accepted online at DVIRC’s website or by calling 215-552-3827. Media interested in covering the event and interviewing local companies should contact Tony DeFazio at DeFazio Communications, LLC via phone: 484-532-7783 or by email at: tony@defaziocommunications.com.
About DVIRC – DVIRC is a leading economic development organization established in 1988 to serve the needs of nearly 5,000 Small to Midsized advanced manufacturing Enterprises (SME) in five counties throughout the Philadelphia region. The organization’s primary focus is to grow business value for clients through consulting services, talent development and regional, state and federal resource assistance, helping to establish the region as an internationally recognized leader in manufacturing competitiveness. We believe growing business value improves the standard of living and quality of life for those that live and / or work in the region. A diverse board of directors comprised of executives from the manufacturing, banking, legal and economic development communities govern the DVIRC.
Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center (DVIRC)
Mark Basla
Vice President
215-464-8550
mbasla@dvirc.org
or
DeFazio Communications, LLC
Anthony J. DeFazio, 484-532-7783
tony@defaziocommunications.com
