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Plant Tour -- Gardner Denver, Inc. – Thomas Products Division, Sheboygan

Location: Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Number of Tours: 2

Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Departure time from convention center: 12:00 PM
Approximate arrival time back to convention center: 4:30 PM
TUESDAY TOUR FULL

Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Departure time from convention center: 12:30 PM
Approximate arrival time back to convention center: 5:00 PM

About The Plant

The largest plant within Thomas Products Division, Sheboygan employs more than 400 people. Originally opened in 1975 and expanded in 1994, this highly integrated manufacturing operation has been continually modernized and now produces both Thomas's WOB-L® Piston and larger size diaphragm compressors and vacuum pumps -- among the company's major OEM product offerings. The Lean Enterprise culture includes Kanbans, Six Sigma, Visual Display Management, and Value Stream Mapping. These tools along with advanced manufacturing techniques are evident throughout the plant. “Continuous improvement is an on-going process that is integrated into our culture.” says Jim Kregel, Vice President of Thomas Products Division.

In addition to the tour site, Thomas Products Division has another manufacturing facility in Sheboygan; one in Monroe; two in Germany; one in China; and sales, service and distribution locations throughout the world.

Thomas Products Division of Gardner Denver, Inc. is a world leader in the design and manufacture of precision-engineered compressors and vacuum pumps. Thomas products are found in medical and pharmaceutical equipment, automobiles, business machines, packaging machines, environmental systems and vending products, among others. Gardner Denver is a leading worldwide manufacturer of reciprocating, rotary and vane compressors, liquid ring pumps and blowers for various industrial and transportation applications, pumps used in the petroleum and industrial markets, and other fluid transfer equipment serving chemical, petroleum and food industries. The Gardner Denver Company (NYSE: GDI) is headquartered in Quincy.

Continuous Improvement in Action

See a mid-size company in the midst of change and thriving in a Lean environment. Thomas Products Division has been using Lean tools for years. Two years ago management decided to make continuous improvement a business strategy, a "way of life". Their management team went from supporting projects to being engaged in a Lean culture. The culture here has changed dramatically. In 2005 Thomas Products Division in Sheboygan won the annual Black Lean Dog award presented by Gardner Denver, Inc to the operation most utilizing the Lean Enterprise philosophy & techniques on a day-to-day true cultural basis.

Here are a few Lean tools that will be seen in action:

Kanbans, Waste Elimination Techniques, Visual Display Management, Office Workcell, Robotics, 5S, Team Project Boards, Lean Training Boards, Machining Cells, SMED, Value Stream Map Display (Office and Assembly), Poke-Yoke, and Six Sigma methodology.

Please Note:
  • Boxed lunch will be provided on the bus.
  • Appropriate dress code: No open-toe shoes. High heel shoes are not recommended.
  • No cameras, cell phone cameras, or video equipment allowed.
  • PRECLUSION STATEMENT: IW may be required to preclude attendees from taking part in certain plant tours. This step will be taken solely by IW at the request of our host plant based upon the proprietary nature of information that is to be presented. The host plants' decisions are final and will be communicated to attendees in advance. Some participants on the tour may be asked to complete a Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA).

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