Lean manufacturing certification, which helps manufacturers achieve the benefits of lean principles, has been launched by R. Michael Donovan and Co.

The certification program illustrates lean manufacturing principles and an action plan to achieve certification. It provides a numerical score that shows manufacturers how lean their company is, and lays out specific actions required to achieve more effective lean manufacturing performance.

"When asked if their companies are getting lean, most executives say ’yes,’" says Mike Donovan, a consultant at R. Michael Donovan and Co. "Very few of these companies have actually made significant progress in implementing lean manufacturing principles to the extent they could and should, however."

Donovan estimates at least 90 percent of manufacturers are missing opportunities to lower costs, increase customer service, decrease defects, reduce inventories and shorten lead times--all of which can boost profits and create a competitive advantage.

"A lean manufacturing certification score provides executives with a meaningful assessment of how effectively they are applying lean to achieve business objectives plus a method to keep their lean roadmaps current and results-driven," adds Donovan.

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