Continuous Improvement Conference to Focus on Becoming More Globally Competitive & Profitable

Aug. 17, 2010 - PRLog -- The Greater Boston Manufacturing Partnership (GBMP) and The Shingo Prize, two organizations that promote operational excellence in manufacturing and other industries, are finalizing preparations for the 6th annual Northeast Shingo Prize Conference scheduled for October 19-20, 2010. The theme this year is “Easier, Better, Faster, Cheaper”, emphasizing Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing as the means to remain competitive and profitable in our global economy.  The event features 3 keynotes, more than 25 break out sessions, hands-on simulations, 2 virtual plant tours and the Community of Lean Lounge.

Ritsuo Shingo, President of Toyota Motor Works China and son of Shigeo Shingo, the Japanese industrialist who developed The Toyota Production System on which Lean Manufacturing is based and the namesake of the prize, will deliver the conference opening keynote address.

The agenda topics center on how the tools and philosophies of Lean and Continuous Improvement are effective in all business environments, from the shop floor to the office to the operating room.

For the first time the event will feature 2 half-day workshops, both presented by Shingo Prize recipients. Mr. Mark Hamel received the prestigious Shingo Research and Professional Publication Award for his book “The Kaizen Event Fieldbook”.  Mr. Beau Keyte received the same award for his book “The Complete Lean Enterprise: Value-stream mapping for administrative and office processes”.

Back by popular demand, representatives from regional companies that are implementing lean will exhibit in The Community of Lean Lounge where they will share their personal experiences from their Lean journeys with you. You will meet dozens of lean implementers from manufacturing, healthcare, biotech, government and the service sectors for unsurpassed peer-to-peer sharing, networking and benchmarking.

The 2010 Shingo Prize Medallion and Award winners will be honored at a luncheon on the first day of the conference, while the Silver Toaster Award for Employee Excellence in Lean will be awarded at a luncheon on day two.

The event is appropriate for executive leadership, general, plant and department managers, team leads and members from materials, quality, and engineering, administrative management and staff, plus folks from sales, customer service, supplier management and human resources. The price is unbeatable plus there’s a group discount. More than 500 participants are expected this year.  Be sure you’re one of them.

The event will be held at Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence on October 19-20, 2010. If you have not registered yet, now would be a good time. There is a cap on the number of attendees. For more information and to register, visit www.neshingoprize.org or call Lela Glikes, Conference Coordinator, at 617-287-7630.

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GBMP helps develop a strong and vibrant regional economy through training in continuous improvement principles. GBMP is the administrator of The Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence in the Northeast. Our annual conference is THE lean event of the year.