On Wednesday, June 30, 2023 the first MassMEP Lean Management in the FAST Lane event was held at Thompson International Speedway in Thompson, CT. Teams from Yankee Candle Company, located in South Deerfield, MA, and OFS, Fitel in Sturbridge, MA made up our first event. The day began with an introduction to a number of Lean Concepts which would be critical to the success of each team’s pit stop rounds to be held during the afternoon. Presentations and discussions included Continuous Improvement, Building a Winning Culture, Metrics and Measurement, Teamwork, Standardized Work, Job Instruction (JI), Job Methods (JM) and Sustainability. Each Lean concept included examples demonstrating the use and application of the concept in the world of NASCAR racing
The afternoon consisted of a walk around Thompson Speedway led by former NASCAR Winston Cup Series 1988 Rookie of The Year and NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver Ken Bouchard. Each team then “suited up” for their training and 5 rounds of pit stops. Each round was video taped and critiqued including continuous improvement concepts and suggestions to improve their pit stop time in the next round. The results were amazing with each team able to cut their time in half by the fifth round. The OFS, Fitel team has set the bar for future teams with a “lightening fast” time of 19 seconds to change two tires and fill the tank with fuel.
"This was a very positive activity with lots of potential” said Tim McMahon, Lean Manufacturing Leader for OFS, Fitel. “I would highly recommend this event to others who are interested in further developing their lean concepts and teambuilding activities. Thompson International Speedway is also an excellent venue for this event” continued McMahon. Peter Dowling, Manager of Operations for OFS, Fitel had similar comments stating that “This program can go in so many positive directions, I really think you have something here.”
MassMEP is your resource partner to help you effectively compete as a Next Generation Manufacturer. MassMEP offers growth based systems that deliver positive, measureable, and sustainable impact to your company’s top and bottom line. MassMEP trains your workforce and works with you to develop and implement a sustainable transformation that prepares and better equips your organization to exceed the expectations placed on today’s Next Generation Manufacturer.
For further information or to enroll your team in a future “Lean Management in The FAST Lane” or other MassMEP event, visit our web site at www.massmep.org, email Kathie Mahoney at [email protected] or call her at (508) 831-7020.
On Wednesday, June 30, 2023 the first MassMEP Lean Management in the FAST Lane event was held at Thompson International Speedway in Thompson, CT. Teams from Yankee Candle Company, located in South Deerfield, MA, and OFS, Fitel in Sturbridge, MA made up our first event. The day began with an introduction to a number of Lean Concepts which would be critical to the success of each team’s pit stop rounds to be held during the afternoon. Presentations and discussions included Continuous Improvement, Building a Winning Culture, Metrics and Measurement, Teamwork, Standardized Work, Job Instruction (JI), Job Methods (JM) and Sustainability. Each Lean concept included examples demonstrating the use and application of the concept in the world of NASCAR racing