Lean Manufacturing
Take the Next Step Toward Lean Excellence
Maximize Efficiency. Minimize Waste. Drive Profitability.
In today’s competitive market, manufacturers must continuously improve to stay ahead. Lean Manufacturing is the key to reducing waste, increasing efficiency, and maximizing profitability. WMEP provides hands-on Lean transformation strategies to help Wisconsin manufacturers optimize operations and achieve sustainable success.
- Value Stream Mapping
- Rapid Improvement (Kaizen) Workshops
- 5S Workplace Organization
- Lean Six Sigma Problem Solving
- Lean Six Sigma Training & Certifications
- Quick Changeovers & Setup Reduction
$147k
Average Annual Cost Savings Realized by WMEP Operations Clients
Our Services
Boost Productivity, Reduce Costs & Stay Competitive
Lean Manufacturing principles help companies create more value with fewer resources. By eliminating waste and streamlining workflows, manufacturers can improve efficiency, enhance product quality, and increase bottom-line performance.
- Reduce Lead Times – Streamline production and improve delivery performance.
- Improve Quality – Minimize defects and improve product consistency.
- Increase Profitability – Lower operational costs through process optimization.
Value Stream Mapping (VSM)
Identify inefficiencies and unlock new opportunities with data-driven process mapping that highlights areas for improvement. WMEP’s experts guide manufacturing teams through the VSM process to generate actionable insights and plans.
- Key Focus Areas: Waste Elimination, Material and Information Flow, Transformative Business Process Improvements (Order-to-Cash Cycle).
- Results: Enhanced operational efficiency and reduced bottlenecks.
Rapid Improvement (Kaizen) Workshops
Foster a culture of ongoing innovation with Kaizen methodologies that drive incremental process improvements.
- Services Include: Rapid Improvement Workshops, Employee Engagement Training.
- Impact: Greater workforce collaboration, sustained process efficiency gains.
5S Workplace Organization
Create a visual, standardized, organized, and safe work environment with 5S implementation that increases efficiency and reduces workplace errors.
- Key Steps: Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain.
- Benefits: Improved workplace efficiency, safety, and employee morale.
Lean Six Sigma Problem Solving
Improve process reliability by reducing variation and eliminating waste with data-driven Lean Six Sigma strategies.
- Key Techniques: DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control), Root Cause Analysis and Structured Problem-Solving.
- Results: Higher quality output, fewer defects, improved customer satisfaction.
Lean Training & Certifications
Build a culture of continuous improvement by developing strong Lean leaders and empowering employees to contribute to Lean efforts across the organization.
- Services Include: Lean Transformation Steering Committees, Lean Leadership Training, Lean Principles Training, Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, Green Belt, and Black Belt Certifications.
- Impact: Company-wide engagement, commitment to process excellence, waste reduction.
Quick Changeovers & Setup Reduction
Decrease manufacturing downtime and improve machine uptime and product quality with WMEP’s simple and effective tools and guidance.
- Key Focus Areas: Single-Minute-Exchange of Die (SMED), Changeover Process Evaluation and Data Collection, New Process Validation, Standardized Work Processes.
- Results: Reduction of work-in-process inventory and cycle times, allowing for smaller batch sizes, improved flexibility, and responsiveness
Case Studies
Transformational Productivity creates a custom roadmap that supports both the unique Gorilla Mill identity and enables their goals for growth
COMPANY PROFILE: Carbide Grinding Corporation (CGC), also known as Gorilla Mill, is a third-generation, family-owned company based in Waukesha, Wisconsin. They manufacture an award-winning line of high-performance cutting tools, including the nationally recognized Gorilla Mill brand. SITUATION: CGC needed guidance at a critical time. They were in the process of expanding into complex new markets…
Triton Trailers Success With Green Belt Training
COMPANY PROFILE: Founded in 1975 by John Reiser and Bob Peisch as a manufacturer of boatlifts, Triton Trailers expanded into making canopies, farm gates, wood-burning furnaces and miscellaneous job shop work before shifting its focus to high-quality aluminum and steel trailers used to transport pull-behind power generators, personal watercraft and snowmobiles. Triton Trailers operates a…
Quick Changeover Reduces Inventory, Lead Times and Cycle Times While Improving Machine Uptime and Quality for Charter Automotive
COMPANY PROFILE Charter Automotive is a world class Tier 1 and Tier 2 supplier of engineered components for the automotive industry. The company has its headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with worldwide manufacturing, commercial, technical, and distribution facilities to support Original Equipment Manufacturers’ global requirements. Charter Automotive is a part of the Charter Manufacturing Co. Inc.…
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Testimonials
When WMEP came on board, we were completely unorganized—we needed something to get us in line. And I thought I needed to be involved in everything. But the minute I started letting go and other people started to realize what they were good at and enjoyed doing, things started to turn around. After working with WMEP, we’re a completely different company. We’re not thinking small family business mentality anymore. We’re thinking national, we’re thinking growth, strategic. And everything throughout this entire company just runs smoother.
Kevin Cranker
,President & Co-ownerCarbide Grinding / Gorilla Mill