Over the years, he has designed envelope-scanning systems, drug-detection devices and as novel as whether a change in manufacturing of baseballs was behind a deterioration in Phillies ace Steve Carlton's pitching.

Adopting WCM means the company's production assembly departments participate in an extensive program of process improvements aimed at optimizing individual steps of the assembly operation to increase throughput, reduce waste and assure the highest finished product quality.

The company is also developing year-over-year efficiency targets as part of an environmental business planning process, established a cross-functional team overlapping several divisions to review water usage with sustainability in mind.

Recent research suggests that the lean approach might also be beneficial to medical procedures, making hospitals more efficient and cut waiting lists.

June 3 - 5, 2012

Cleveland, Ohio

May 22 - 25, 2012 

Atlanta, Georgia

May 8 - 10, 2012

Hartford, Connecticut