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.
LEAN MANUFACTURING PLANT TOUR
Join the Maryland World Class Consortia for a trip to Pennsylvania to tour Manitowoc! The Manitowoc Company, Inc. (“Manitowoc” or the “Company”) is a leading global provider of engineered lifting solutions with a history dating back to 1902. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Manitowoc designs, manufactures, markets, and supports a broad portfolio of crane products and related services for customers across construction, infrastructure, energy, industrial, and specialty lifting applications.
The Company serves customers through some of the most recognized brands in the lifting industry, including Grove, Manitowoc, National Crane, Potain, Shuttlelift, and Upfits by Aspen Equipment, along with support-focused businesses such as MGX Equipment Services. Together, these brands reflect
Manitowoc’s commitment to safe, productive, and reliable lifting solutions backed by lifecycle parts, service, training, financing, and customer support.
Shady Grove Campus Overview
The Shady Grove, Pennsylvania campus is Manitowoc’s largest crane manufacturing facility and a critical hub within the Company’s global manufacturing footprint. The campus spans approximately 300 acres and includes large-scale manufacturing, fabrication, machining, welding, paint, testing, and final assembly capabilities supporting mobile hydraulic cranes, lattice-boom crawler cranes, boom trucks, industrial cranes, and related products.
The Manitowoc Way
Manitowoc’s lean operating philosophy, known as “The Manitowoc Way,” is focused on continuously improving safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee engagement. Lean principles are applied not only on the factory floor, but across functions including supply chain, engineering, finance, marketing, and customer support. The goal is to reduce waste, improve flow, strengthen problem-solving, and deliver greater value to customers.
On September 22, 2026, visitors will have the opportunity to observe how teams at Shady Grove use practical continuous improvement {“kaizen”) tools to enhance safety, improve first-pass quality, increase productivity, reduce lead times, and create more efficient work processes. The visit is intended to provide a firsthand look at how disciplined lean thinking supports Manitowoc’s broader strategy and strengthens execution across a complex, high-mix manufacturing environment.
For more information, visit www.manitowoc.com.
Agenda (Subject to change):
09:00 - 09:15 Introduction/Refreshments
09:15 - 09:45 Host presentation on company, Lean journey, and tour specifics
09:45 - 11:15 Tour
11:15 - 11:30 Tour Debrief
11:30 - 12:30 Wrap Up/Lunch/Networking – Everyone to join in & discuss with MWCC & wrap up!
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.
