PLM Companies, relatively new to the lean journey, share many of the improvements they had made since their first tour in 2023. Highlights include improvements in employee safety and ergonomics to reduce the strain on their employees, the addition of automation to improve safety and improve efficiencies, and Human Resources initiatives to improve onboarding, retention, and just letting employees know that “PLM Cares”.

PLM has done a great job of including employees who do not speak English, which has turned a challenge into an opportunity to strengthen their workforce. Hungry to continue to improve, the PLM team shows their humility by requesting more suggestions for improvement.

Seyer Industries highlights the formula for performing Accelerated Improvement Workshops(AIWs), lean kaizen events, and other lean principles throughout their facility. 

Participants learn how Seyer has been leveraging employee genius over the 25 years of their lean journey. Every time a smart use of lean principles and tools was highlighted, it was credited to the employees' ideas. The cleanliness of the facility with an abundance of visual controls provide confidence to their customers and prospects that Seyer is a well-run organization. 

Always open for feedback, Seyer welcomes their lean minded peers to provide opportunities for improvement.  Their tour highlights Seyer Industries' operational excellence and motivates attendees to bring positive changes back to their own businesses.

John Henry Foster focuses on "Empowerment through ESOP: Fueling Excellence in Business." JHF showcases their efficient use of Microsoft Dynamics 365 for CRM operations and systematic problem-solving methods like the "5 Whys" and A3 thinking. Their strategic approach to continuous improvement, with 6-12 month project timelines, is particularly impressive, demonstrating their commitment to achieving lasting improvements.

Their tour is a testament to the power of ESOP culture in achieving operational excellence and fostering a community of continuous learning and improvement. John Henry Foster stands out not only for their technological prowess and efficiency but also for their commitment to nurturing a culture of growth and empowerment. 

Cambridge takes you through what has been successful practices for them on their lean journey. They will provide an overview exploring lean principals such as Kata, Scrum, 2-Bin Kanban, Lean Workstations (designed by the employees), cost savings initiatives company wide as well as their learnings from the EOS management system. Participants will have access to the employees that have helped design, implement and work with these systems every day.

Clemco shares how their Lean system has transformed their business through continuous improvement and utilizing a Plan/Do/Check/Act Cycle to build the culture and strategic direction of the business. 

Clemco's LEAN journey focuses on optimizing workflow and enhancing product quality. By embracing continuous improvement, they have significantly improved operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Christy Refractories has been hard at work on their lean journey for the past few years. Their tour encompasses 5S, Gemba Walk, 2-second LEAN, and their quality system. They introduce the history of the Christy Company, The Christy Way (culture), what they make, and how their products are used. 

Christy is dedicated to refining its production processes through LEAN principles, resulting in increased efficiency and reduced waste. Their commitment to continuous improvement sets a strong foundation for future growth.