5S & Visual Factory Experience

Description:
This one-day experience includes real-world applications presented by practitioners combined with lessons and learning sessions.  Participants are provided with the basic concepts and some of the simple tools used to begin the implementation of 5S.  The workshop also highlights the basic concepts of the Visual Factory and provides a simple checklist to determine where a plant is at today.  The training begins with the 5-S's, which include:

• Sort (Organization)
• Simplify (Orderliness)
• Shine (Cleanliness)
• Standardize
• Sustain (Self Discipline)

These concepts are explained, particularly in relation to how they contribute to a safe and effective company.  The initial focus will detail the first 'S' and how to put it in place.  The philosophy of the 2nd 'S' ('a place for everything and everything in its place') will be emphasized with examples shown of how companies have implemented the 5S philosophy. 

The workshop also introduces the concept of the Visual Factory and the various methods used to make workplaces visual in order to speed processes while reducing errors. Also introduced will be the simple but powerful concept of 'visual dashboard measures'.  Emphasis is placed on providing participants with what they need to apply the methods learned immediately upon return to their own work environment.

Prerequisites
To obtain maximum benefit, participants will be employed anywhere within the manufacturing/operations infrastructure - from factory, sales, distribution, mgmt., warehouse, R&D, maintenance or within the supplier/customer chain.  

Specific Objectives
Upon completion of this one-day interactive training session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the 5 pillars of the Visual Workplace
2. Know the positive effects of implementing the 5S philosophy and especially the impact on customers
3. Explain the benefits that can be realized when the system is implemented
4. Apply a simple 5S checklist to an existing facility to determine current status on a scale of 1 to 5
5. Know how to apply 5S principles and practices to their workplace
6. Understand the value of a Visual work area and some of the simple approaches typically applied
7. Be able to recognize opportunities in the workplace for the application of visual measures and tools
8. Be aware of the need to develop a team environment to implement and sustain 5S and visual factory initiatives and describe some simple approaches

The Facilitator:
Bob Kerr

Bob Kerr is Senior Partner of High Performance Solutions, a consulting firm that specializes in assisting manufacturing companies along the road to “World Class”

Bob’s career started as a Tool and Die Maker, progressed through supervision and various management positions to Vice President of Manufacturing of two leading North American companies. His ‘Lean’ leadership strategies have directly resulted in the cultural changes of Canadian and US companies that enabled them to successfully implement the Pull Systems & Lean Strategies needed to enhance their global competitiveness.

Bob focuses on shop floor change and knows how to make “Lean Manufacturing” work.  As Vice-President of Broan, he transformed the shop floor to capitalize on the benefits of Pull Systems by putting the floor under the control of the people visually and simply, installing a winning simple system that earned his company recognition from Sears as the ‘Best JIT Implementation Supplier’ with 100% on time delivery in the first year of operation.

Bob lives in Kitchener with his wife and has two grown children.  In his spare time he takes to the roads and runs as a form of exercise and relaxation.  He also competes in Marathon races.