How many light-bulbs does it take to change an economy?

President Bush visited Oregon in 2002. Why Oregon? We were 50th out of 50 States in economic growth. We were #1 in one category though: Unemployment. Using Oregon as a poster child for what was wrong with the economy in every state. He proposed tax incentives to buy new equipment. Two years later we are still at the top of one list and at the bottom of the other.

(PRWEB) June 10, 2004 -- Having visited hundreds of companies nationwide, in Canada and Japan, I can assure you that Oregons competitors have pretty much the same equipment everyone else. New equipment alone is not the answer. The answer to Oregons (and other state's) economic woes lies in the fact that most companies cannot compete with similar organizations who have adopted world class (Lean Enterprise) behaviors.

Lean is defined as a systematic approach to identify and eliminate waste. Wasted motion, wasted paperwork, overproduction, excessive set-up time on machines, high ratios of non-value added activities and so forth.

An epiphany or light bulb" moment must happen for the managers of manufacturing and service organizations illuminating their minds to a new paradigm (new way of viewing the world around themselves). What worked in our parents and grandparents day is no longer a viable approach. Mass customization, demand for shorter lead times and lower operating expense has made the Toyota Production System the model by which our competitors (nationwide and worldwide) are eating out lunch.

While a few companies have had the light bulb" moment, it has been estimated that only 5% of the companies in America have actually applied these tools.

It will take many more light-bulb moments before we are able to turn around the economy. While Im sure that President Bushs heart is in the right place, the solution has less to do with the equipment we use, and more to do with our behavior. If our country and our companies are to remain viable competitors a greater number of organizations must adopt the Lean approach.

So, how many light-bulbs does it take to change an economy? Every one.

To read more about Lean Manufacturing and other World Class techniques, visit www.leanenterprise.bigstep.com or call 541-574-0398.

A one week Lean Certification workshop will be conducted by 2002 Shingo Prize Recipient Gary Conner at Portland Community College on August 2-6, 2004. Cosponsored by SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers) Chapter 63, this hands on 40 hour session will educate participants how to apply the Lean Enterprise System in their unique environment. E-mail Lean1mfg@aol.com to request a course outline and registration information.

The Shingo prize is awarded once per year by the Utah State University Shingo Prize Committee. Named after Shigeo Shingo, one of the Toyota engineers credited with their remarkable turnaround. The prize is regarded as the Nobel Prize for manufacturing.

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