Company Profile
Kuhn North America, based in Brodhead, Wisconsin, is part of a global corporation and agricultural equipment leader founded in 1828 and employing 6,000 worldwide. Its 500-employee Wisconsin facility designs and manufactures machinery for livestock feeding, manure management, and hay and forage production—continuing Kuhn’s long-standing reputation for quality, durability, and innovation.
Situation
With a foundation in Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement, Kuhn North America aimed to boost employee engagement and productivity by moving beyond tools and processes. Leadership’s goal was to embed continuous improvement as a lasting cultural mindset—engaging employees at every level, uniting the team around common goals, and maintaining operational gains.
Solutions
WMEP launched Lean principles training, equipping employees with practical tools to identify and eliminate waste. Rapid improvement events followed, producing measurable gains in productivity, quality, and throughput. By engaging employees directly in problem-solving, these initiatives not only delivered immediate operational improvements but also built a lasting culture of continuous improvement that drives ongoing ROI.
Results
- $130K annual savings driven by productivity improvements
- Balanced workflow through organized, separated work tasks
- Sustained efficiency with improved housekeeping and workplace organization
- Stronger engagement and ownership by involving employees in shaping their roles
- Faster onboarding and higher proficiency through standard operator training and documentation
Our partnership with WMEP has driven meaningful, positive change across our organization. The hands-on nature…revealed the power of small improvements, sparking new awareness and enthusiasm among our team.
– Mike Froemke, Director of Operations, Kuhn North America