Above: BWA Lean Trainers, Brad Cairns Quantum Lean & Sepp Gmeiner Lignum Consulting demonstrate key elements of successful morning meetings
Thursday, August 29th marked an exciting new phase with the first BWA Lean Leadership: To Export Readiness Training Event at EDC’s Kitchener location: EDC Export Growth Hub.
Is leadership a topic that resonates with you and your company? Do you have a struggle with getting new ideas implemented? Are you not sure what methods to employ them? Are you trying to find your footing on beginning a lean journey at your facility? These aren’t uncommon questions, many factories are learning more and more about Lean, but what is keeping them from continuing to move forward?
Foreign markets continue to be an opportunity for Canadian wood companies, particularly the USA. How can your processes be ready for increased volumes from new sales opportunities? It is proven that adopting Lean Manufacturing & Industry 4.0 helps pave the way to success. Europe is ahead of the curve and Canada needs to stay globally competitive.
This brand new training event for Lean Leadership is here to show managers and leaders what it will take to make their factories Lean and sustain a Lean culture among all of their staff. To be successful in new markets an essential element is to have efficient processes. And a key driver of that success comes from adopting lean principles to meet new volume deadlines while achieving manageable lead times for customers.
“If I hit all of these points (referring to a visual aide), I’m sending the right message, and it (the process) will get faster” – Lean Trainer Brad Cairns explains, referring to a synergistic effect of Lean Leadership principles.
The BWA Lean Leadership – To Export Readiness Training Event made sure to teach not only the role of the leader who is leading a lean transformation but also many facets of how to be useful in developing a lean culture – from: powerful morning meetings with real examples and time for Q&A; easy fast ways to create improvements and how staff can get engaged to participate; common mistakes leaders make when trying to foster a lean culture; fundamental principles and why they work to create change; with lots of time to discuss current challenges and ways to address and fix them; and much, much more.
“It was good to get refocused. We’ve done lean training…we’ve had Brad out to do lean training in our facility, but as a refresher for (lean) leadership, I wish I would have brought the rest of my leadership team to remind them what we’re trying to do” – Steve Dennison, Dennison Homes.
If you have taken the Intro to BWA Lean Road Map – To Export Readiness or the new BWA Lean Leadership – To Export Readiness Training Event make sure you’re taking the right approach to implementing lean and helping your employees be inspired to change and succeed.
Funding is available for training through the Canada Ontario Jobs Grant (COJG) & for companies currently exporting. If you export or are considering exporting – Yves Landry Foundation can also support funding for skills training.
Missed out on this event? Contact the BWA and tell us your interest in running it again. If you’re interested in attending the next BWA Lean Leadership – To Export Readiness Training Event or any other BWA event, you can contact:
Ryan Tabone
Program Coordinator/Advisor
e: ryantabone@bluewaterwoodalliance.com
Alternatively, register online at www.bluewaterwoodalliance.com
Please stay up to date and check the BWA’s website often for our calendar of events & to find out more about our programs for wood companies that are saving them money, like the BWA Benefit Program
Together we’re strengthening Ontario’s wood manufacturing sector’s future.
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