SAN RAMON, CA - July 16, 2008 - Automation Controls, Bosch and Manex held a successful Lean Manufacturing workshop on July 9th. This one-day workshop was sold out with more than 15 participants representing all levels of manufacturing personnel in the life sciences and solar industries. The day combined comprehensive classroom content with a hands-on simulation of a production facility to introduce the basic concepts of Lean Manufacturing and demonstrate the tools necessary to implement Lean on the shop floor.

The simulation consisted of three rounds, giving participants the opportunity to apply and measure results of various Lean techniques. After the first two rounds, production data was provided, and with the coaching help of the Manex facilitators, Bill Browne and Michael Markantonis, participants then worked together to refine the manufacturing process and implementing their own continuous improvements for the subsequent round.

The immersive nature of the workshop provided the participants with an in-depth exploration of the principles of Lean and continuous improvement.

From the participants:

• "Great seminar. It has given me an in-depth perspective of Lean."
• "The simulations really drove home the points."
• "The extensive background in Lean that the facilitators have. Lots of good references to past experience which is not usually the case with most facilitators."
• "Great overview and practical simulation."

Two more workshops will be held on September 10th and November 12th. If you are interested in attending these workshops or holding a Lean workshop at your facility, please contact Bill Browne, bbrowne@manexconsulting.com.

About Manex
Founded in 1995, The Corporation for Manufacturing Excellence (Manex) (www.manexconsulting.com) provides a broad array of proven advisory and implementation solutions exclusively to manufacturers, distributors and their supply chains, enabling them to increase growth, productivity, quality and profitability. Manex delivers high-impact solutions in four key areas: strategy, people, process and performance. Meaningful, rapid impact and ROI are achieved through a modular-yet-holistic approach encompassing corporate strategy and planning, marketing strategy, training and development, lean manufacturing, supply chain and logistics, Six Sigma, ISO and performance management systems.