Lean Manufacturing
Continuous Improvement Using Lean Manufacturing
Increase productivity, enhance product quality, and improve your company’s profitability. From working on the plant floor side by side with your team for sustainable results to classroom training, NWIRC can support you with training, coaching, and developing a continuous improvement plan.
Let's Get Connected
LEAN TRANSFORMATION
Consulting and onsite implementation of lean practices and tools such as 5S Visual Management, Value Stream Mapping, Setup and Changeover Reduction, Kaizen Events, Kanban, and more.
LEAN TOGETHER
Maximizing the productivity of your team may be more difficult than ever before. Our Lean Together programs help your company create a culture of continuous improvement where everyone is working together, moving in the same direction, and making small improvements everyday! Through nine, 3-hour, monthly sessions – participants study and implement concepts from the book, 2 Second Lean, by Paul Akers during classroom discussion and facility tours.
New Cohort Starting in Fall 2026
GEMBA WALK
Gemba Walk training provides a comprehensive learning experience for manufacturing professionals seeking to enhance their understanding and application of Gemba principles. Gemba, a Japanese term meaning “the real place,” refers to the workplace where value is created. Schedule an onsite training for your team to understand the core principles and philosophy behind Gemba walks, learn to plan and conduct successful Gemba walks, analyzing Gemba walk data and observations, implement changes for process efficiency, and develop effective communication strategies for engaging with frontline employees.
MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE: SME Lean Bronze Certificate
An intensive program to learn and apply the essential elements of Lean, specifically how to implement them to initiate transformational change. The program combines interactive activities, real-world problem solving, classroom instruction, proven strategies that can be immediately applied, and solid preparation for SME Lean Bronze testing. Reading requirements include: Gemba Kaizen, Lean Production Simplified, and The Toyota Way (books included). Geared for manufacturing companies looking to transform their companies by investing in supervisors, managers, team leaders, and other high potential and motivated individuals.
Next class planned for January 2026. Ask to be put on the waitlist.
TOYOTA KATA
Training and onsite coaching to help your team learn a systematic way of solving programs – all part of a continuous improvement plan. Kata, commonly known in martial arts, is practicing a pattern of thinking and behaving until executing without hesitation. Think about the practice involved in learning an instrument or playing a sport. Toyota Kata is a structured way for managers and employees to achieve continuous improvement goals with a clear path to get there.
MANUFACTURING RESULTS
Triangle Suspension: Amazing Transformation with 5S
Since 1919, the Triangle Suspension Systems name has been synonymous with steel leaf springs…
Electric Materials: 2 Second Lean Brings Benefits for Customers and Employees
The Electric Materials Company (EM) is a manufacturer of non-ferrous metal products for industrial electrical applications located in North East, PA…
Franklin Industries: Lean Together™ Leads to Culture Training and Culture Changes
With roots back to 1901, Franklin Industries is a rail rerolling mill—which means they reroll used rails from the railroad and heat them to roll a wide variety of products such as highway sign posts and posts for agriculture fencing…
Manufacturing Training
& Events
Creating a workplace culture that attracts, develops, and retains employees through leadership programs, employee development, training, and coaching.
Sep 16th
IATF 16949:2016 Internal Auditor – St Marys
- Sep 16th, 2026 – 08:30 am-04:30 pm
- St Marys, PA/Elk
Sep 30th
Floor Shop Leaders: Using metrics to develop your team – Erie
- Sep 30th, 2026 – 08:30 am-04:30 pm
- Erie, PA
