NWIRC - The Resource for Manufacturers

Continuous Improvement Programs

Continuous Improvement

The LEAN manufacturing approach is simple: eliminate waste, increase productivity. But stepping back from your own manufacturing system, identifying wasteful practices and then repairing those processes can be overwhelming.

An on-site briefing with the NWIRC and your executive team will help you understand the impact and the implementation steps of LEAN manufacturing and put your business on track for greater success.

The NWIRC assists you in purging your system of overproduction, extra motion, overstocked inventory, unnecessary delays, poor transportation, product defects, underutilized people and extra processing.

We also offer LEAN educational courses, so your executive leadership can continue the learning process once your company is on the right track to increased profitability.

In-House and Public Programs include:

  • Principles of LEAN Manufacturing
  • The 5S System: Workplace Organization and Standardization
  • Set-up Reduction (SMED)
  • Cellular Flow Manufacturing
  • Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
  • Material Pull Systems (Kanban)
  • Manufacturing Critical Path Time (MCT)
  • LEAN for the Office
  • LEAN for Finance and Accounting
  • Office Value Stream Mapping
  • Kaisen
  • A3 Problem Solving

Contact us at one of our regional offices:


Erie: (814) 456-6299
Jack Watts
BJ Lechner

DuBois: (814) 590-1219
Erin Dixon Heath

Meadville: (814) 572-2077
Susan Hileman