September 22, 2003
MiBiz Network

MUSKEGON - The Muskegon Area Manufacturer's Council is launching a Lean Manufacturing User Group.
Sponsored by Muskegon Area First and the Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce, the user group will work with an experienced consultant to get in-depth training on lean manufacturing that focuses on understanding and hands-on implementation. Each company will engage in a specific project and document its progress, sharing that information with the rest of the group.

"Many smaller companies are not able to afford a lean consultant on their own. This user group is a more cost-effective way to implement lean," said Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce Spokesperson Laura Kroger. "By sharing a consultant, the companies are able to share the cost of the consultant, thus reducing the cost for participating companies. Additionally, the group will form a support network in which the companies can share successful strategies and discuss best practices."

The user group will be limited to only 5-8 Muskegon area manufacturers. Participants will meet monthly for daylong sessions during a 10-month period. The first meeting is scheduled for October. Each company also receives a designated amount of one-on-one time with the consultant.

The formation of the user group is the result of two years of lean workshops hosted by the Muskegon Area Manufacturer's Council. The workshops tackled lean manufacturing techniques like 5 S, kaizen events and value stream mapping.

Firms interested in joining the Lean Manufacturing User Group should contact Kroger at the chamber at Lkroger@muskegon.org.

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This article appeared in the September 22, 2003 issue of MiBiz, read by upper management executives in West and Southwest Michigan. Print subscriptions are free to qualified individuals who do business in West and Southwest Michigan. For further information about MiBiz Network, visit www.mibiz.com.