DuPont Performance Coatings (DPC) has expanded the DuPont
Performance Services (DPS) program, now offering the DPS
Learning Academy - Lean Series. The DPS Learning Academy -
Lean Series is designed for repair centers interested in
implementing a lean process.
The DPS Learning Academy is a series of three, 3-day
events which are conducted on-site at a collision repair
center that is actively using a pull production model.
Currently, these events are being conducted at The Body Shop
@ in Pittsburgh, Pa., or Marshall Auto Body in Milwaukee,
Wis. DPC has partnered with these organizations to develop
a lean implementation strategy.
The Academy currently includes the following
courses:
101 Administrative Process Flow
201 Production Process Flow
Pull Production and Continuous Improvement
"When designing the DPS Learning Academy - Lean Series,
we were cognizant of the 97 percent lean implementation
failure rate in the industry, therefore we built our
curriculum around the lean transformation (Kaikaku) model,"
said Steve Trapp, collision services development manager.
"Using the model, the DPC executive facilitator uses hands-
on exercises in a workshop setting to have the lean champion
apply the 12 lean principles to their repair center." Other
exercises include study missions at repair centers currently
applying kaizen thinking, lean tools and a pull production
approach where participants can ask questions and take
pictures. Back in the workshop, the participants can work
together to refine their own tools and processes based on
their customer's needs, facilities and staff.
"A key to our approach is the weekly consulting
sessions between the academy workshops to help keep the
repair center on track with their unique implementation
plan," said Trapp. The end goal of the DPS Learning Academy
- Lean Series is to transform participating repair centers
that complete the entire process to a pull-based kaizen
thinking organization that can solve problems based on the
scientific problem solving model.
In addition to the Academy, DuPont Performance
Services offers a traditional series of five educational
courses on lean topics. To learn more about these courses
or the DPS Learning Academy - Lean Series, contact your
local DPC jobber or attend a local jobber-sponsored DPS Lean
Foundations educational course.
For more information visit www.DPSlibrary.dupont.com.
