Press Releases

August 2004

For Immediate Release

BLUEPRINT UNVEILED FOR LEAN IMPROVEMENTS IN ADMINISTRATIVE AREAS

New York…How did Eaton Corporation’s customer service department improve on-time order entry from 62 to 98 percent? By following the process and utilizing the tools presented in a new book from Productivity Press, Value Stream Management for the Lean Office — Eight Steps to Planning, Mapping, and Sustaining Lean Improvements in Administrative Areas.

Administrative functions represent 60 to 80 percent of the total cost of doing business. By eliminating costly waste from administrative and office functions, a company’s profit margin can increase an important part of creating a total lean enterprise.

In Value Stream Management for the Lean Office — Eight Steps to Planning, Mapping, and Sustaining Lean Improvements in Administrative Areas, by Don Tapping and Tom Shuker, top management, managers, supervisors, team leaders/coaches and co-workers will find a complete system for lean implementation in the office.

This how-to book immediately helps a company integrate lean tools, such as 5S, Continuous Flow, Kanban and Standardized Work, into administrative areas and into total lean improvement efforts. Tapping and Shuker have taken the highly effective lean transformation process for the factory floor presented in their first book, Value Stream Management, and have modified and adapted it to work in the office as well.

Highlights include:

• A complete case study that illustrates the applications of lean in an office environment
• A thorough overview of basic lean concepts
• Methods for identifying the administrative activities that need improvement
• The eight-step process for removing waste and reorganizing workflow for cost effective, efficient operations
• Guidelines and checklists to help direct and maintain lean improvements
• Definitions of common lean terms and concepts
• A CD containing a lean assessment tool, a storyboard template, useful charts, a team charter, forms, reports and worksheets

List price is $45.00. Complimentary review copies are available to media contacts by calling (212) 216-7865 or by e-mailing: leon.carter@taylorandfrancis.com.

About the Authors

Don Tapping has worked for over twenty years to eliminate waste and improve bottom-line results in the telecommunications, medical, automotive, industrial, and aerospace industries. He directed the lean implementation for Eaton Aerospace Division for over 5 years with similar duties prior to that at Schlumberger Technologies, UNISTRUT Corporation and Data Scan Services.

Tom Shuker has over thirty years’ experience in manufacturing and is currently President of Lean Concepts, LLC. He recently participated in lean implementation within General Motors Corporation including two years at New United Motors Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI), a joint GM-Toyota Assembly Plant. Shuker has also consulted for other manufacturers in the implementation of their lean manufacturing systems including Herman Miller, Autocam, Merilatt, Medtronics, Caterpillar and the Aeroquip Corporation Division of Eaton.

About Productivity Press

Founded to provide world-class guidance for every level of an organization, Productivity Press is unrivaled in publishing high-quality material on lean manufacturing and business improvement.  Our books, learning tools and newsletter, Lean Manufacturing Advisor, are designed to help educate and support organizations in their efforts to implement the advanced management and manufacturing methodologies required to compete in today’s global business environment.

For more information on Value Stream Management for the Lean Office, or any of Productivity Press’ other titles, call 1 (888) 319-5852 or email info@productivitypress.com.