• NEWS ARTICLES: 2009
  • AEI Goes Lean [11-12-2009]
  • AEI Accepts Safety Award From OSHA! [10-14-2009]
  • AEI on OSHA Website [03-19-09]
  • Certification for Loss Work Days [03-18-09]
  • B-52 Escape Hatch Delivery [03-01-09]

AEI Goes Lean.

AEI has launched a Lean Transformation of its facilities in Kansas and Oklahoma. We have all heard of the process of making changes for the better. Some call it Kaizen, some call it Lean others call it Gemba Kaizen and some call it the Toyota Production System. Whatever names it goes by in your company it all boils down to improving your processes. But that is not all that Lean is about. In order to sustain improvements AEI has decided to approach their Lean process as a transformation of their culture.

A Lean transformation is more than creating pockets of improvement, sometimes referred to as “Shotgun Kaizen”. In a Lean transformation the goal is to not only make improvements in all processes but to change the culture. By engaging the employees and teaching them the tools they need to succeed we can make lasting change that will create a new way of thinking, “Lean Thinking”. A Chinese Proverb states; 'Show me and I'll see, tell me and I'll hear but involve me and I'll understand'.

            Our goal is to have everyone, throughout all organizations, trained in the Lean tools and techniques so that they can look for ways to improve without needing a formal Kaizen event to make the change. By transforming our culture to the Lean way we can improve our quality, reduce our cost and produce products on customer demand all while sustaining the safety of our employees.