Virtual Lean Peer Group #32
February 19, 2025 thru January 21, 2026
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Build a Lean Culture to Ensure Long-Term Success
Lean applies to any type of organization and processing environment. Whether you are a manufacturer, distributor, service organization, or a non-profit, this program should be part of your Continuous Improvement plan. Revamp and re-energize your Lean strategy by networking with and learning from others who are committed to creating a Lean culture.
Schedule - Each Lean Peer Group meets monthly. (Refer to the registration page for the tentative schedule.) However, if anyone is unable to attend on these dates, they may attend one of the other Group meetings.
Format:
Program Features!
Who Should Attend?
Organizations – Not just for manufacturers, our Lean Peer Groups have a mix of companies from a broad range of industries and Lean maturity levels, from those who are just getting started to some who would be considered Lean-mature organizations. The only real requirement is a sincere desire and commitment to moving forward on this never-ending journey of excellence.
Meeting Attendees – There are no restrictions as to company position, but typical attendees include Lean facilitators and company leaders. Specifically, front-line leaders would gain greatly from ongoing participation. Though anyone in the organization who wants to learn more about Lean is welcome to participate.
What about the cost?
Lean Peer Group participation includes a one-year MWCC membership, a $1250 value. NOTE: Your company might qualify for grant reimbursement of 50% of the $3000 fee at the end of the Peer Group round. (This reimbursement is subject to availability of funding and adequate appropriation.) Considering these factors, the effective cost for Maryland company participants would be $250 for the whole organization for this year-long program. (Non-Maryland organizations should check grant availability in their states.)
Your Lean Peer Group Facilitator
Dave Rizzardo has been the Associate Director of MWCC since 2014. In 2012, he co-developed the Lean Peer Group service and has been facilitating multiple groups since that time. His Lean experience predates the time when Lean became synonymous with business excellence. His recently published book, "Lean - Let's Get It Right! How to Build a Culture of Continuous Improvement", dives into many of the topics discussed and debated during the MWCC Lean Peer Group meetings.
Questions?
If you have questions about this program, contact MWCC Associate Director, Dave Rizzardo (717-855-0765) , or MWCC Managing Director, Joyce La Padula (410-960-3785).
REGISTRATION OPEN!
Virtual Lean Peer Group #33
June 17, 2025 to May 19, 2026
🚀 Lean Applies Everywhere! Lean applies to any type of organization and processing environment. Whether you are a manufacturer🏭, distributor📦, service organization💼, or a non-profit🤝, this program should be part of your Continuous Improvement plan.
✨ Revamp and re-energize your Lean strategy by networking with and learning from others who are committed to creating a Lean culture.
📅 Schedule: Each Lean Peer Group meets monthly. (Refer to the registration page for the tentative schedule.) However, if anyone is unable to attend on these dates, they may join one of the other Group meetings.
🗂️ Format:
📘 Lean Training/Discussion - 1 Hour 🔍 Topic Examples: Lean Leadership, Resistance to Change, Influence/Motivation, Support System Alignment, Engagement Methods, Office Lean, Lean Fundamentals, Key Lean Tools.
📊 Company Presentation - 30 Minutes At each meeting, a Member Company provides a short presentation on Lean activities in their organization—such as a company project, challenge, or Lean plans—for Group learning and/or to obtain member input.
💬 Open Discussion - 30 Minutes An opportunity for members to share experiences, seek input, and discuss issues and challenges.
🎯 Program Features!
🌍 Member Locations: Participation is open to organizations and individuals from any region, not limited to Maryland. The video conference format allows participants to join from anywhere, making it accessible regardless of location.
👥 Number of Members: No limit! With videoconferencing, there are no room capacity concerns. Plus, the number of participants per company is not restricted (within reason).
📆 Number of Meetings: There are 12 monthly meetings, and MWCC Quarterly Conferences and Lean Learnings are no-cost to members.
🤔 Who Should Attend?
🏢 Organizations: Our Lean Peer Groups include a mix of companies across various industries and Lean maturity levels—from those just starting to Lean-mature organizations. The only requirement is a sincere commitment to continuous improvement.
👤 Meeting Attendees: No restrictions on company position—typical attendees include Lean facilitators and company leaders. Front-line leaders would greatly benefit from participation. Anyone interested in learning more about Lean is welcome.
💰 What About the Cost?
Lean Peer Group participation includes a one-year MWCC membership (a $1250 value!).
💡 Grant Opportunity: Your company might qualify for 50% reimbursement of the $3000 fee at the end of the Peer Group round (subject to funding availability). This means Maryland companies could effectively pay $250 for their entire organization for a year-long program.
🌎 Non-Maryland organizations should check grant availability in their states.
Virtual Lean Peer Group #34
MWCC has offered Lean Peer Groups since 2012, and participation is open to organizations anywhere — not just those based in Maryland.
Lean principles apply to all types of organizations, including manufacturers, distributors, service providers, and non-profits. This program is a powerful way to strengthen your Continuous Improvement strategy by connecting with peers who are equally committed to building and sustaining a Lean culture.
Schedule - Each Lean Peer Group meets monthly via Zoom. (Refer to the registration page for the tentative schedule.) However, if anyone is unable to attend on these dates, they may attend one of the other Group meetings.
Lean Peer Group participation includes a one-year MWCC membership, a $1250 value.
NOTE: Your company might qualify for grant reimbursement of 50% of the $3000 fee at the end of the Peer Group round. (This reimbursement is subject to availability of funding and adequate appropriation.) Considering these factors, the effective cost for Maryland company participants would be $250 for the whole organization for this year-long program. (Non-Maryland organizations should check grant availability in their states.)
Dan Protzman has been a consulting partner to MWCC since 2019, bringing deep expertise in Lean and leadership development. As Vice President at Business Improvement Group, he helps organizations align strategy, execution, and culture. Dan is one of the few certified Lean Master Practitioners in the U.S., with additional credentials in TWI Job Instruction, the Harada Method, and Lean Leadership. He has trained in Japan with Toyota and the Shingo Institute.
If you have questions about this program, contact MWCC Managing Director, Joyce La Padula, 410-960-3785.
We look forward to having you join us for our morning "mini-conference," where you will find examples, case studies, and informative discussions about the tools and methods of continuous improvement. Get ready to network with learners and leaders of the local Lean community!
LOCATION: THALES DEFENSE & SECURITY, CLARKSBURG, MD (MONTGOMERY COUNTY)
A Valid Driver's License Must Be Presented at Registration.
Keynote Presentation by Jeremy Horn, Junior Partner, Business Improvement Group
Topic: Lean BASICS®
In this session, Jeremy will provide an overview of BASICS(r), Business Improvement Group's structured implementation methodology for implementing and driving sustainable change. He will walk through core elements of BASICS®, highlight how it has been applied across industries, and show real-world applications from Thales. Attendees will gain insight into how the approach helps organizations create flow, build accountability, and embed CI into daily operations.
Jeremy is a results-driven improvement practitioner and leadership coach with a strong record of helping organizations achieve meaningful change. Since 2019, he has partnered with the Maryland World Class Consortia (MWCC) to support clients such as Culta, Arnold Packaging, Chutes International, Anne Arundel County Food Bank, Tanglewood Conservatories, Parker Flavors, and Thales Defense & Security.
Member Presentation led by Steve Schrader, Vice President, Operations; Thales Defense & Security
Thales Defense & Security in Clarksburg, MD, recently embarked on a Lean transformation to improve its CNR radio assembly lines. The leadership team faced challenges with cluttered workstations, excess inventory on benches, limited standardization, and long cycle times. Through a structured Lean approach, they redesigned the production flow into a one-piece flow system, stood up visual management boards, and built a robust material delivery system with supermarkets and water spiders.
The presentation will take attendees inside this journey from the “before state” of bottlenecks and inconsistent management practices, to the redesigned “future state” that now features:
The Thales team will share measurable results in cycle time reduction, staffing optimization, engagement, and demonstrate how Lean can rapidly transform a defense manufacturing environment.
What Attendees Will See on the Tour:
The tour will bring the story to life by walking attendees directly through the improved CNR assembly area. Expect to see:
This will not just be a “show and tell”. Attendees will experience how Lean concepts have been embedded into daily operations, creating a system that improves flow, accountability, and culture across the shop floor.
NOTE: FIRST, go to 22605 Gateway Center Drive, BUILDING #1, to sign-in and receive your guest badge before proceeding to Building #2 for the conference.
AGENDA
08:30 am Registration, Networking & Continental Breakfast09:00 am Greetings09:15 am Jeremy Horn, Business Improvement Group10:30 am Networking/Break10:40 am Member Presentation, Steve Schrader, Thales Defense & Security11:50 am Q&A and Tour Prep12:00 pm Thales tour
01:30 pm Lunch & Debrief
02:00 pm Conference concludes
Companies actively engaged in Lean offer a treasure trove of information when it comes to their respective Lean journeys. Benchmarking these companies brings you new ideas, an affirmation of your current practices, and an opportunity to be spurred on and take next steps in your own organization. To that end, we are continuing to bring you monthly tours so you can take advantage of this knowledge base. Each plant tour offers a unique opportunity to dialog with peers from across industries and functions about best practices, challenges and solutions to moving your organization forward.
CHUTES INTERNATIONAL
LEAN MANUFACTURING PLANT TOUR
We’re heading back to CHUTES International to see the progress they’ve made since our last visit in September 2023!
CHUTES is a national leader in internal trash, linen, and recycling chutes, selling through a distribution network across the country. Their push into global markets earned them the Maryland International Business Leadership Award in 2023.
Since beginning their Lean journey with the Maryland World Class Consortia in 2019, CHUTES has made significant strides in productivity and efficiency. These improvements have helped them expand their reach while building a strong culture of continuous improvement. While they’ve come a long way, they know the journey to becoming a world-class operation is ongoing — and they remain committed to learning and growing.
This tour will showcase progress across the entire organization — from the shop floor to the front office. Expect inspiration, insights, and a few laughs along the way (and yes, they still promise not to push anyone into the garbage chute 😄).
If you have any special dietary requirements, please contact us and we will do our best to arrange alternative selections.
Substitutions for registrants permitted. No refunds.
LEAN PEER GROUP COHORT #35
February 18, 2026 thru January 20, 2027
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