Shingo Institute Announces the Craftsmanship Project
This well-known advocate for manufacturing training has developed a fascinating project in support of the machining industry, and you’re invited to play a role.
The purpose of The Craftsmanship Project is to engage manufacturing leaders in a conversation about how to keep manufacturing jobs local.
The Shingo Institute, part of the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University in Logan, is now taking submissions for the Craftsmanship Project on its website. The purpose of the project is to engage manufacturing leaders in a conversation about how to keep manufacturing jobs local.
“We’re starting by gathering as many stories as we can about companies that are using craftsmanship as a value they provide through local workers,” according to Ken Snyder, executive director. “We have a great tradition of craftsmanship in this country, particularly in the area of innovation. To lower costs, we’ve sent more manufacturing jobs overseas than is good for our economy. Now it’s time to highlight the ways leaders are keeping manufacturing jobs here and strengthening their businesses at the same time.”
The Shingo Institute will share the stories on the project website and compile many of them into a book. The goal of the project is to share the information with as many manufacturing leaders as possible who may be able to use some of the ideas in the stories to help their own manufacturing companies. Watch an introductory video for details on the project.
Snyder will speak more about the Craftsmanship Project in his keynote address at the upcoming Shingo Summit for Manufacturing in Knoxville, Tennessee, Sept. 19-21. He will also share some of the stories that have already been collected for the project.
The Shingo Institute is home of the Shingo Prize, an award that recognizes organizations that demonstrate an exceptional culture that fosters continuous improvement. Part of the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, the institute is named after Japanese industrial engineer and Toyota advisor, Shigeo Shingo. Dr. Shingo distinguished himself as one of the world’s thought leaders in concepts, management systems and improvement techniques that have become known as the Toyota Production System.
Drawing from Dr. Shingo’s teachings and years of experience working with organizations worldwide, the institute developed the Shingo Model, which is the basis for its several educational offerings, including workshops, study tours and conferences. Workshops are available in multiple languages through the institute’s licensed affiliates. Read an article on Micron Manufacturing’s receipt of the prestigious Shingo Silver Medallion for Operational Excellence from a past issue of PM to learn more.
Ken Snyder is executive director of the Shingo Institute.
