Local manufacturer touts lean procedures
Charlotte Business Journal
Fred Tannenbaum
Staff Writer
Lean manufacturing is not just a way to boost productivity on factory floors, it can do a world of good for hospitals and offices, a Gaston County manufacturing expert told the Charlotte Chamber's Manufacturing Business Alliance lunch Thursday.
Eliminating wasteful practices can be as simple as reducing the amount of walking an employee must do to complete a task or neatly arranging supplies, Michael Iezzi, manager of the Eaton Heavy Duty Truck plant in Kings Mountain, told attendees.
Iezzi's plant, which has nearly 700 employees, manufactures automatic and manual transmissions and other components for commercial truck and tractor manufacturers. In 2004, it received the first N.C. Shingo Prize for excellence in manufacturing, which recognizes lean manufacturing.
"If you're not using lean in your business, you're missing the boat," Iezzi said.
Gastonia-based CaroMont Health began implementing lean techniques in 2004 and has saved thousands of dollars and improved patient care, said Julie Botchuck, the health-care company's process-improvement executive.
"This is phenomenal, easy stuff," she said.
New procedures have helped CaroMont move patient records faster, ensured surgical procedures start on time and speeded up laboratory tests, Botchuck said. That has improved patient and staff satisfaction, the hospital says.
"What you have to do is roll up your sleeves and just do it," Botchuck said.
Iezzi, the Eaton plant manager, said lean procedures involve everyone but needs to start at the top. "The CEO drives lean," he said. "If you don't get hearts and minds around lean or whatever you want to do, it's not going to work."
