The IMC and RIT Establish a Lean Partnership

The IMC and RIT’s Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies (CIMS) have created a partnership to achieve the vision of local manufacturers to establish the Rochester region as a community of excellence in lean manufacturing. Reducing cost while increasing productivity and customer satisfaction are the main goals of "lean."

The Center for Excellence in Lean Enterprise (CELE), a division of CIMS, will provide project and training resources for such an effort.

Lean enterprise involves looking at a process and removing the non-value-added activity—anything the customer isn’t willing to pay for, says Louise Vella, associate director of CELE.

"We can all challenge ourselves to seek out and eliminate unnecessary actions in our own workplaces and homes," says Marc Haugen, CELE director. "Understanding the tools of lean can contribute to greater satisfaction—both in our personal and professional lives."

An advisory board, comprised of IMC member company representatives, will guide CELE, chaired by Sandra Parker, IMC president.

CELE and the IMC will host a series of Lean Lessons—breakfast seminars held at the IMC’s Hutchinson House on East Avenue—from 7:30–9:30 a.m. on the following dates:

Sept. 18—Impact and Culture
Oct. 24—VSM – Value Stream Mapping
Nov. 20—5S and Visual Controls
Jan. 22—TPM – Total Productive Maintenance
Feb. 19—Kanban-Pull Production
March 19—Mistakeproofing

The fee for the series is $100 for six sessions or $25 per session. A certificate will be issued for completion of the entire series.