Our 70-plus years of experience includes many years of implementing Lean Manufacturing principles aimed at improving operational performance. These principles include performing value-stream mapping, building one-piece flow work cells, creating a more orderly workplace by using a 5-S approach, implementing kan ban supermarkets, creating visual control systems and installing Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) on critical pieces of equipment. We'll work with you to implement Lean Manufaturing principles that are appropriate for your particular operation.

An essential ingredient to successful Lean implementation is employee involvement. Correspondingly, organizational structures must support employee involvement and empowerment. Our approach to helping our clients improve their operational efficiency reaches beyond just the Lean principles and includes advice on strengthening your management organization. This integration of organizational design and Lean principles is the combination that enables a lasting change to operational improvement.

Organizations often don't have the leadership development skills available

in their management staffs. The inability of managers to provide guidance to their associates often results in weak subordinate development. This, in turn, limits the ability of the organization to create depth. Foundry Support Operations also offers leadership development mentoring to help clients grow their talent pool. This is done synergistically with Human Resources, department managers and high-potential candidates. And this can be done either simultaneously while we are working with our clients on improvement projects or as temporary Interim Management where we assume temporary department management responsibility.