Leonardo Group is focused on one thing: the success of our clients in the introduction of flow and lean methods in factories and offices. We deliver a suite of best practices to improve any process: state-of-the-art training, hands-on mentoring, and must-have publications and software tools. We transfer the low-risk, proven methods that allow companies to compete globally, cut costs, eliminate waste, and engage their workforce in the effort of continual improvement.

Leonardo Group offers a variety of formal training, implementation and assessment programs in both English and Spanish. The fastest way to move ahead quickly and with minimal risk is to leverage the learning curve of an experience flow/lean practitioner. Fundamentals of Flow Manufacturing is also available in Spanish from www.flowpublishing.com .

The starting point for both experienced Lean practitioners and those just beginning their journey is the On-Site Assessment. This 3-day assessment serves three important purposes:

• It gives both the client and Leonardo Group a formal view of the current environment, and a quantified estimate of the potential benefits to be achieved.

• It provides the client with an initial education in the tools and methods of flow manufacturing, some of which may be new to the company, but critical to its success.

• It identifies the steps to be taken, including the training requirements and internal resources needed to ensure success.

The On-Site Assessment follows a time-tested methodology, including the use of Value Stream Mapping methods, to assess the manufacturing, material, planning and information flows. A deliverable from this event is a written assessment of the opportunities related to the implementation of flow manufacturing, the Current and Future State Value Stream Maps, along with a recommended implementation plan.

Training is a necessary factor for success. No one experienced in this journey will claim that they trained their team too much. As in any endeavor, your people need to have an understanding of the methods, tools and importance of flow methods. A variety of training vehicles are available, tailored for the appropriate audience.

• The Lean Roadmap Workshop is a 3-day workshop intended for your flow implementation team and team leaders. Production planners, supervisors, industrial engineers, operations managers, material managers and anyone else that will be directly participating in the introduction of flow methods should attend. Covered in this training are the details of the implementation process, the “must-know” information for a successful implementation effort.

• Flow-Based Material Management is a 2-day seminar focused solely on material issues: inventory accuracy in a flow environment, setting up a Kanban system, balancing with inventory, setting up Kanban supermarkets, and Supply Chain Management.

Rapid Improvement or Kaizen Events are being practiced around the world, and are a central tool of the flow manufacturing approach. Dramatic improvements are often achieved in a very short period of time. Most traditional improvement efforts take too long, cost too much, and may not “stick” over time. Employee involvement and enthusiasm are critical, and there is no better way to achieve involvement and change than with the Rapid Improvement method. Experienced guidance is recommended, especially at the beginning, but Kaizen will eventually become a way of life.

Rapid Improvement Events can be created for any area of opportunity in the company, including cell or line designs, material Kanban implementations, setup reduction, planning or any administrative process. And don’t overlook the power of basic housekeeping: a 5S or housekeeping Kaizen can often achieve huge benefits and may be the first step in setting your house in order.