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ESCO Corporation Ends Year with Lean Success

Portland, Ore. — ESCO Corporation recently recognized five locations for achieving the Bronze level of Lean excellence. Lean principles are recognized world-wide as an effective methodology to improve quality, streamline processes, reduce delays and improve total costs through a discipline of continuous improvement.

ESCO began applying lean principles in 1999. The new ESCO lean metrics program, know as Lean Links, is used to measure a facility’s progress toward meeting corporate goals for reductions in lead times, inventories, and scrap, and for improved operational efficiencies. The assessment process of each ESCO location identifies both the progress made and the work still to be done. Based on the results of the assessment, an implementation plan is created so that improvements will continue.

The Lean Links program is divided into four award levels: bronze, silver, gold and QVS Excellence. In 2004, five ESCO sites were awarded the Bronze Lean Links Award. ESCO is pleased to announce the following sites earned bronze certification:

• ESCO Turbine Technologies, Cleveland, OH. (July)

• ESCO Engineered Products, Newton, MS (November)

• ESCO Engineered Products, Port Hope, Canada. (November)

• ESCO Engineered Products, Guisborough, UK. (December)

• Heflin Steel, Phoenix, AZ (December)

ESCO Corporation is an international 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.

Jodi Walder-Biesanz | ESCO Corporate Brand Manager | 503.778.6560 | jodi.walder@escocorp.com

www.escocorp.com