Lean Management Tours
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The VOE-Network sponsors a Lean Management Tour excursion during the AALAS National Meeting. We visit diverse organizations to learn how they have implemented lean techniques to improve operations, customer service, engage employees and solve problems.
Members of the VOE-Network also open their doors to others to exchange ideas on improving vivarium operations. Visit the "Members" page and contact a fellow member to see their facility, exchange ideas how they solved a particular problem or just to say "how are you doing?" Lean Benchmarking Tours are offered at Mass General Hospital in Boston on a request basis using the link below. www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3410325/51318a77809f |
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2014: Toyota, San Antonio Texas
VOE-Network members had the opportunity to tour the Toyota Tundra & Tacoma manufacturing plant where we were introduced to the original and evolving Toyota Production System. Executives from Toyota's manufacturing and Continuous Improvement departments provided us with an exclusive in-depth Q&A after the plant tour. VOE-Network organizational representatives from IACUC, Operations, Vendors, Finance, HR and Vet Care were provided insight as to how to effectively manage in a Lean environment. Toyota regards their employees as "Industrial Athletes" and demands the highest emphasis on employee safety, creativity, development and enrichment. Their employees put their heart and soul into every vehicle on the road.
We discovered that, while our primary services may differ, the similarities in the way we can organize work, motivate people, improve quality and provide value to our customers clearly outweighs the differences.
How can your operations be more "Toyota-like"? Contact us to find out.
We discovered that, while our primary services may differ, the similarities in the way we can organize work, motivate people, improve quality and provide value to our customers clearly outweighs the differences.
How can your operations be more "Toyota-like"? Contact us to find out.
2015: PING Golf Factory, Phoenix, Az
VOE-Network members were treated to a presentation on the origins of their inovative technologies used by golf pros around the world. During an extensive walking tour of their manufacturing facilities, we witnessed how PING uses Lean manufacturing techniques to hand-fabricate every individual golf club as a custom order. With dozens of options and weights available for customers to choose from, the variability of requests (like in vivarium operations) is endless.
Juast as in biomedical research, complex systems have been developed to ensure the proper sequencing of operations from raw materials to finished packaging...quality is built into the product every step of the way with systemic checks to ensure zero defects.
Do you have systems to ensure quality is built-into every step of a process? If not, we may be able to help you.
Juast as in biomedical research, complex systems have been developed to ensure the proper sequencing of operations from raw materials to finished packaging...quality is built into the product every step of the way with systemic checks to ensure zero defects.
Do you have systems to ensure quality is built-into every step of a process? If not, we may be able to help you.
2016: EATON Corporation, Charlotte, NC
Manufacturers of heavy-duty truck transmissions, the EATON Corporation hosted our VOE-Network Lean Tour for our members from as far away as Quatar. Winners of many prestigious quality, performance and reliability awards, the CI Staff of EATON introduced our group to their extensive quality improvement program that engages their staff to react to production defects so that permanent corrections can be made immediately. With punishing customers like UPS, FedEx, Ryder, Greyhound, EATON prides itself on building transmissions that improve customer fuel consumption and the need for "zero service for the life of the contract".
EATON demonstrated how their visual management system provides real-time information that balances production and resources according to customer requests. We discovered that visual management systems need not be electronic or sophisticated; EATON leverages the flexibility of dry erase boards, post-it notes and basic signals for instant visual communication. Managers can easily "see" what processes are on-schedule and what processes need help. Front-line workers drive the system by providing simple metrics on a frequent basis.
Through a seriese of daily choreographed huddles, EATON's senior management becomes pro-active; they understand the health and wellness of operations and can anticipate and react to issues within hours.
Can you answer: "how is my staff doing right now?" If you cannot, Lean management may help. Contact us to learn more.
EATON demonstrated how their visual management system provides real-time information that balances production and resources according to customer requests. We discovered that visual management systems need not be electronic or sophisticated; EATON leverages the flexibility of dry erase boards, post-it notes and basic signals for instant visual communication. Managers can easily "see" what processes are on-schedule and what processes need help. Front-line workers drive the system by providing simple metrics on a frequent basis.
Through a seriese of daily choreographed huddles, EATON's senior management becomes pro-active; they understand the health and wellness of operations and can anticipate and react to issues within hours.
Can you answer: "how is my staff doing right now?" If you cannot, Lean management may help. Contact us to learn more.
VOE-Network Collaboration & Benchmarking Tour
VOE-Network members from University of Houston, Memorial University (Canada) and Massachusetts General Hospital collaborated to discuss the advantages and various approaches to applying Lean Management to vivarium operations. With decades of experience, VOE-Network members have assisted biomedical research organizations around the world. We urge members to collaborate to steal and learn from each other.
Have you ever wondered what Lean management looks like in a vivarium? Contact us if you need help, want to arrange a director-to-director discussion, or better understand how we can help you improve your operational performance.
Have you ever wondered what Lean management looks like in a vivarium? Contact us if you need help, want to arrange a director-to-director discussion, or better understand how we can help you improve your operational performance.
2017: Austin Texas...
Stay tuned. We are working on an exciting Lean Management Tour during AALAS in 2017.