Attendees of the 2015 Continuous Improvement Conference will have the opportunity to tour and learn from three impressive manufacturers in the Minneapolis area: Western Graphics, Japs-Olson, and Tennant Company.
The Continuous Improvement Conference will be held April 12–15, 2015, in Minneapolis, MN. It continues to be the industry's only annual event focused on helping printing companies achieve operational excellence by using the concepts of Lean Manufacturing and other management and quality systems. Signing up for an optional plant tour is a great way to see how continuous improvement strategies and concepts are being applied at other firms.
Western Graphics
Western Graphics offers a full suite of commercial printing capabilities, including print-on-demand, offset printing, bindery, and digital large-format production. The company has been implementing Lean practices for most of the last decade, having completed more than 2,000 documented improvement projects since 2009. It was recognized with the 2012 Best Lean Culture Award and as the 2010 Manufacturer of the Year. Its president, Tim Keran, received the Printing Industries of America Managing for Improvement Award in 2014.
Japs-Olson
Japs-Olson is one of the largest privately owned printing firms in the United States, with a national client base and more than 600 team members. The company's print, mailing, and logistic experts manage direct marketing campaigns from a few thousand pieces to tens of millions. As a result of its focus on continuous improvement and Lean over the years, Japs-Olson confidently says it can move a client's project into the mailstream faster and in a more efficient manner than almost any other provider. Attendees will tour a streamlined production facility featuring a multitude of web offset presses with inline variable imaging.
The Tennant Company
The Tennant Company is the world's leading manufacturer of equipment for cleaning and maintaining surfaces in industrial, commercial, and outdoor environments. The company started applying Lean principles a decade ago, initially depending on Lean consultants and shortly thereafter hiring manufacturing executives experienced in Lean. In a four-year period, the company was able to compress its manufacturing space by 40% while boosting productivity. Its awards include "The Best 100 Companies to Work for in America," "Top 100 Ethical Companies," and "Manufacturer of the Year."
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