Lean Manufacturing Implementation
The Lean Manufacturing Handbook
The Lean Manufacturing Handbook
by Tom Epply
Assisted by Judy Nagengast
Second Edition
About the Author
TOM EPPLY
Globalization, Certified Lean Manufacturing
& Out-Sourced Engineering
Globalization: "The inexorable integration of markets, nation-states,
and technologies to a degree never witnessed before -- in a way that is enabling individuals,
corporations and nation-states to reach around the world farther, faster, deeper and cheaper
than ever before .... the spread of free-market capitalism to virtually every country in
the world."
(T.L. Friedman, The Lexus and the Olive tree, 1999, p. 7-8).
Lean Manufacturing: From a term coined in the James P. Womack
book, The Machine That Changed the World, based largely on his observations of the Toyota
Production System. The focus at Toyota was the absolute elimination of waste, especially
anything that prevents the most optimum flow and assembly of material, from raw material
to finished goods. Lean principles have been implemented by many manufacturers, and many
other non-manufacturing organizations, with great success, resulting in significant improvements
in quality, cost and delivery performance.
Tom Epply, President of Continental Design & Engineering, is a Certified Lean
Manufacturing Engineer, and a leading international authority on making the benefits
of Lean Manufacturing a reality. Tom is an expert in Globalization, having personally participated
in the planning and implementation of the successful migration of many Fortune 500 U.S.
based manufacturing operations to Mexico, Europe and Asia. Tom is also a consultant in
Out-Sourced Engineering solutions, with experience in the creation of a range of supporting
engineering resources in the U.S. and India.
Tom's introduction to Lean manufacturing started in 1992 with General Motors, and has
continued since that time with numerous successful lean implementation consulting assignments
for many major manufacturing firms. Tom is internationally recognized as a Lean Consultant
, and his monthly Lean Workshops have been delivered throughout the United States and Mexico,
resulting in millions of dollars in savings.
Tom's background includes over thirty years with General Motors, where he gained a wealth
of hands-on experience in all functional areas. Among them are Product engineering, Manufacturing
Engineering and Operations experience for a wide range of products such as starting motors,
alternators and electrical components.
After leaving GM, Tom became the President of Continental Design & Engineering in
Anderson, Indiana. In addition to his focused involvement in Lean manufacturing consultations,
he has been instrumental in Continental's growth of over 400%, which has resulted in numerous
regional and national recognitions for noteworthy business achievement.
Tom's formal education was at both Ball State University and New York University, and
includes Lean manufacturing training received at both the University of Kentucky's Center
for Robotics and Manufacturing Systems and at the University of Michigan's College of Engineering.
There are many Lean "tools" that Tom uses to improve an organization and increase
productivity. But the real goal of Tom's efforts, while working as the President of Continental
or as a Consultant, is the creation of a changed company that produces exactly what the
customer wants — when they want it.
To start seeing results like this in your facility, speak with Continental Design's
Director of Lean Manufacturing today. Call 800 875-4557
ext. 317, or send an email online.
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