Plastikos, Inc., headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania, is a precision injection molding leader serving highly regulated industries such as medical devices, electronics, and aerospace. With advanced cleanroom capabilities and a team of RJG Master Molders and degreed plastics engineers, Plastikos is known for its commitment to innovation, quality, and workforce development. The company fosters a culture of operational excellence, continuously reinvesting in its people, technology, and processes to stay competitive in a global market.
While Plastikos had initiated an internal 5S team, broader success required equipping the full workforce with foundational knowledge of Lean principles—specifically the 8 Wastes and 5S. Without this shared understanding, opportunities to eliminate non-value-added activities, streamline workflows, and reinforce accountability risked being missed. The company recognized that embedding Lean practices across all teams was essential to sustaining operational excellence and driving long-term value.
NWIRC partnered with Plastikos to deliver a customized 8 Wastes and 5S training project, led by our Operational Excellence Specialist. The program included a 6-hour in-class training session and a 4-hour Mini-Kaizen event focused on auditing and improving a specific pilot area. The goal was to develop a team of problem-solvers proficient in identifying and eliminating waste, while supporting 5S foundational principles. This hands-on approach empowered employees to take ownership of daily operations and drive measurable improvements.
The projected impact from the training across multiple business areas, includes increased sales of $25,000, estimated cost savings of $25,000, investments in workforce of $15,000, and adding new jobs. “Over the next 12 months, we expect measurable gains in productivity, efficiency, and workplace organization. Our team is now equipped to identify and eliminate wasteful practices, sustain cleaner and safer work areas, and foster a culture of quality, safety, and performance excellence,” said Plastikos’ Medical Molding Manager, Danielle Bentley.
Download the Plastikos’ Success Story here.
Increased Sales
Cost Savings
Workforce Investment
