The Mid-Carolina Chapter of APICS

Please attend our next APICs Professional Development Meeting and participate in a lean concepts activity. During this activity, you will be using Lego’s to understand the concepts associated with a key lean principle, 5S. Who said that Lego’s are just for kids? And why Lego’s? Because hands-on learning is so much more effective. Lean concepts are in vogue these days as companies are searching for ways to reduce costs and improve their overall operational efficiency. Being lean is all about eliminating waste in your process. These concepts apply to any type of company or operation.

This simulation will be directed by Doug Miller who is involved with implementing lean concepts with a local manufacturing company. Doug, a Lean Production Systems Engineer, is leading lean training initiatives and implementation efforts based in large part on the Toyota Production System. Toyota’s reputation for outstanding quality and a leader in the automotive industry, is largely attributed to the lean culture they developed that has been attempted by many, duplicated by few (read Toyota Way for more info.)

Participants will have the opportunity to learn about lean concepts including Waste Elimination and 5S as they create a 5S operation using this simulation. Come prepared to roll up your sleeves and open your minds. The concepts are easy to learn, the primary challenge comes from creating a culture that engages all their employees into learning and applying these concepts. A discussion will follow with respect to what it means to create a lean culture.