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Bucyrus Blades Steinbach Reaches Lean Success

Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada. — ESCO Corporation recently awarded its Bucyrus Blades, Steinbach, Manitoba location with a silver merit of lean excellence. Lean organizations seek to improve quality, eliminate waste, and reduce delays and total costs through a system of continuous improvement.

As a corporation, ESCO began using lean processes in 1999. The lean metrics program, known as Lean Links, monitors several areas of lean implementation including: synchronized flow and quality control; process focus; the visual factory and development; and management and accounting. Each ESCO location is evaluated, recognized for progress, and an implementation plan for new improvements is created based on the results.

The Lean Links program is divided into four awards categories: bronze, silver, gold and QVS Excellence. In February, ESCO awarded the Silver Lean Links award to ESCO Bucyrus Blades - Steinbach. The location first started implementing lean tools in July of 2004 and in 18 months made necessary improvements to reach the silver award level.

 “I am extremely pleased with the lean progress ESCO has made over the last few years. Bucyrus Blades - Steinbach has worked hard to implement improvements in both the shop and office and has truly recognized the value 6S brings to the work place. The Steinbach location has made excellent use of Heijunka, has a supportive work staff that is willing to experiment and has demonstrated a commitment to continuous improvement principles. Motivated, educated employees are key for future lean success and Bucyrus Blades-Steinbach has the right people to continue improving,” said Dale Gehring, Director of Lean Enterprise Development.   

ESCO Corporation is a global group of companies that manufactures engineered metal parts and components for industrial machinery. A privately held company, ESCO Corporation is headquartered in Portland, OR. The company employs over 3,600 in four operating groups with manufacturing, distribution, and sales offices on six continents.

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For more information please contact:
Robert Kenneth | ESCO Marketing Communications | 503.778.6612 | robert.kenneth@escocorp.com