SME Conference to feature presentations by top lean experts.
Press Release Summary:
At the Lean Product Development Conference, April 14-16, 2008, in Florence, KY, Eureka! Ranch Founder and CEO Doug Hall will give the keynote presentation, Made in the USA - Choices for Growth. Hall will also review the results of 1,300 hr of front line work with companies, plus Eureka! Ranch's latest research on the science of growth. Also, Michael N. Kennedy will give a presentation on knowledge-based product development, and a hands-on preconference workshop will be led by Ron Mascitelli.
Original Press Release:
SME Welcomes Top Lean Experts Doug Hall, Michael N. Kennedy, and Ron Mascitelli to Conference
One-Of-A-Kind Event Will Explore Both Lean Innovation and Product Development
DEARBORN, Mich., March 6, 2008 - The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) announced today it will welcome Doug Hall, Michael N. Kennedy and Ron Mascitelli to the Lean Product Development Conference, April 14-16, 2008, in Florence, KY. Located at the Mazak Technology Center just outside of Cincinnati, this one-of-a-kind conference will cover powerful lean approaches for innovation in new product development rather than the typical conference solely devoted to lean tools. The event is designed to connect these distinguished experts to manufacturing industry professionals as well as create a forum for them to share best practices.
SME's unique approach to its new and improved lean conference is deeply rooted in challenges many manufacturers face today more than ever. Developing the most new products is simply not enough to ensure a company's success.
Eureka! Ranch Founder and CEO Doug Hall's keynote presentation, "Made in the USA-Choices for Growth" will kick off the conference on April 15 and review research on how manufacturing companies can ignite the chain reaction of top-line growth - and avoid the spiral of death.
Hall also will review the results of some 1,300 hours of front line work with companies plus Eureka! Ranch's latest research on the science of growth such as how changing your sales message can increase effectiveness and why new customers and markets are more valuable than building loyalty.
Some additional Conference highlights will include learning sessions devoted to innovation and lean product design, effective uses of additive manufacturing, as well as lean tools such as visual controls and kaizen events. Attendees can also look forward to an evening of networking and fun at the Hofbrauhaus, a world-famous destination for Bavarian beer and cuisine.
On April 16, Founder and CEO of Targeted Convergence Corporation (TCC), Michael N. Kennedy will continue where innovation left off with a comprehensive presentation on knowledge-based product development. The author of Product Development for the Lean Enterprise, Kennedy offers more than 35 years of experience and is a foremost lean expert who studied the industry-revolutionizing Toyota product development system. His address will emphasize that powerful knowledge comes from learning what does work rather than what does not, which is the cornerstone of the Toyota system and the true meaning of lean product manufacturing.
For the most comprehensive and well-rounded lean experience, attendees are strongly encouraged to participate in a hands-on, pre-conference workshop led by Ron Mascitelli, author of The Lean Product Development Guidebook.
"SME is pleased welcome Doug Hall, Michael N. Kennedy and Ron Mascitelli as distinguished presenters of this year's conference," said Mark C. Tomlinson, executive director and general manager of SME. "Their expertise should bring a great deal of energy and give our conference attendees a solid foundation of how to identify and eliminate wasteful work habits, prioritize these lean improvement efforts and then apply lean techniques for faster and cost- efficient new product turnaround."
For the most comprehensive information about the Lean Product Development Conference, please visit www.sme.org/leanpd.
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About SME:
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (www.sme.org) is the world's leading professional society supporting manufacturing education. Through its member programs, publications, expositions and professional development resources, SME promotes an increased awareness of manufacturing engineering and helps keep manufacturing professionals up to date on leading trends and technologies. Headquartered in Michigan, SME influences more than half a million manufacturing practitioners and executives annually. The Society has members in more than 70 countries and is supported by a network of hundreds of technical communities and chapters worldwide.
