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Automotive Manufacturers Lean Toward Agile Manufacturing

6 May 1999

Automotive Manufacturers Lean Toward Agile Manufacturing to Remain Competitive

      - Interactive Workshop on Lean & Agile Manufacturing Scheduled for
                            May 11-12 in Detroit -

    WARRENDALE, Pa., May 6 -- In an effort to maximize, integrate
and improve manufacturing performance, the automotive manufacturing industry
has embraced the modern concept of lean and agile manufacturing.  Attendees at
the Society of Automotive Engineers' (SAE) third annual International
Automotive Manufacturing (IAM) Exposition & Conference, May 11-13, in Detroit
can engage in an interactive, hands-on workshop on these production tactics.
    Presented by Lockwood Greene Consulting -- leaders in the field who have
also hosted similar workshops for Volvo and Goodyear -- the live factory model
simulation workshop showcases alternative concepts, techniques and benefits
that will lead to new and innovative ways to improve productivity,
efficiencies and profits.
    Attendees at IAM can participate in the May 11-12 workshop free of charge
and will learn to improve the manufacturing environment through a combination
of hands-on instructional approaches.  These include tutorials on lean
production concepts, case study examples, re-engineering approaches and
simulation re-enactment.
    Participants also work as a team to execute three distinct hands-on
simulations for widget production: Push, Pull and Cell.  These simulations
encompass all aspects of the manufacturing process, with role playing between
management, production and support, as well as interfaces with the customer
and supplier.
    "One of the goals of this year's IAM conference is the exploration of
future strategies, technologies and ideas that can help make automotive
manufacturers more competitive in the next millennium," said Jim Wynalek,
Visteon Exterior Systems Division.  "Lean production is a perfect example of
the type of revolutionary concept that automotive manufacturers are embracing
to increase productivity and profit."
    Lean production tactics also include identifying waste and non-value added
activities, utilizing visual factory techniques, developing standardized,
level work flows and implementing continual improvement methodologies.
Functions of the workshop include warehousing, fabrication, Work-In-Progress
storage, assembly, quality and accounting.
    The workshop on lean and agile manufacturing is geared toward any position
that influences the manufacturing process, including senior executives,
supervisors, project leaders, training managers, and manufacturing support
staff.
    The IAM '99 show theme, "Millennium Manufacturing: The Extended
Enterprise," reflects the developing trend within an industry dependent on
close-knit, crucial manufacturer/supplier alliances.  Along with the show's
sponsor, Visteon, exhibitors include large manufacturers such as the Ford
Motor Company, DaimlerChrysler and Honda of America, as well as suppliers MDT
Software, Sun Microsystems, Festo Corporation, Wago and Schneider Electric.
    To learn more about the Lean Production Workshop or to attend IAM '99 call
724-772-7131, or visit http://www.sae.org.
    The Society of Automotive Engineers consists of close to 80,000 engineers,
business executives, educators and students from more than 97 countries.