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Dutch delegation shares lean expertise with Nissan

A top level Dutch business delegation has visited Washington’s Nissan car plant as part of an international initiative designed to promote lean manufacturing techniques.

The 19-strong party, including organiser of the trip Dr Warse Klingenberg, of the Dutch Lean Manufacturing Network and Christian Hicks, Newcastle University Business School’s Professor of Operations Management, spent the day on tour at the car plant.

“The Lean Manufacturing Network is designed to help Dutch manufacturing companies exchange of knowledge and experience on Lean Production,” explained Dr Klingenberg.

“The tour was led by Nissan’s Keith Copeland who won an MBE for his contribution to training last year. His experience and expertise was very helpful to the delegation.

“Given the tough economic climate we are now in, the importance of sharing best practice between educators, businesses, universities and the public sector across national boundaries cannot be overstated.”

The delegation included executives from manufacturing businesses such as joint venture Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift Europe, Clean Air Group and Weir Minerals.

Prof Hicks said: “The Lean Manufacturing Network is an excellent initiative, which we hope to replicate in the North East of England. Manufacturing companies can dramatically improve their competitiveness through implementing Lean Production.

“The visit by the Dutch delegation is an excellent example of the importance of international collaborative work. “They will be able to take away what they have learned from one of Europe’s most efficient manufacturing plants and apply it to their own work practices enabling them to optimise efficiency in their own businesses making them more likely to be able to weather any economic storms ahead.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .