Contact Information: Press and Analyst Contacts: John Howlett Pelion Systems 720-890-2800, ext. 160 john.howlett@pelionsystems.com Adrienne McGarr Ruder Finn for Pelion Systems 312-329-3907 mcgarra@ruderfinn.com
Pelion Drives Lean Initiative for APICS Northern Colorado Chapter
John Szemler Joins NOCO Leadership Team to Spearhead Lean Master Certification Program
| Source: Pelion Systems
BOULDER, CO -- (MARKET WIRE) -- December 7, 2006 -- Pelion Systems, a market leader in
Manufacturing Operating Systems powered by Lean principles, today announced
that John Szemler, Pelion's vice president of automotive applications and a
senior member of the company's consulting team, has been appointed to the
APICS Northern Colorado (NOCO) chapter's leadership team as vice president
of the NOCO Lean Initiative.
One of Szemler's primary responsibilities is to lead the chapter's Lean
Master Certification Program, which involves a complete package of
education and coaching on the implementation of Lean supply chains. With
more than 20 years experience in the plant environment as both a
manufacturing executive and a consultant helping manufacturers define new
process flows that leverage Lean principles, Szemler is uniquely qualified
to drive this initiative for APICS NOCO.
For the past five years at Pelion, Szemler has led customer teams in
determining the best tools and strategies for managing the load and flow of
demand over resources in production and throughout the supply chain,
including the use of software applications to help realize and sustain the
impact of Lean improvements. His leadership has resulted in rapid
operational turnaround and multi-million dollar savings for several
manufacturers in the automotive sector as well as other industries with
complex value streams, like electronics, aerospace and consumer durables.
"We are very excited to have an expert of John's caliber stepping in to the
VP of Lean role," said Doug Klapperich, CEO of the APICS NOCO chapter.
"Providing high quality resource management education, professional
development and certification is our mission, and there is no more
important area for our members right now than Lean."
The Lean Master Certification program involves three educational sessions
of three days each. The first session begins this week with a focus on
Crafting a Lean Initiative and Value Stream Mapping. Session 2, which is
scheduled to run January 10, 11, and 12, will focus on Creating Flow. The
final session on February 14, 15, and 16 will discuss Leveraging Pull and
the CLM Exam.
Students will work to improve one value stream in their organization as
part of the program, resulting in quantifiable improvements for the
manufacturers represented along with personal recognition for the
individuals as a Certified Lean Master.
"Pelion has always emphasized the importance of approaching Lean from the
perspective of mapping, modeling and managing the value stream," Szemler
said. "I look forward to helping APICS NOCO members grow in their
understanding of how Lean principles should be applied to create pull-based
supply chains that have the flexibility to respond effectively to changing
demand signals."
For more information on the Lean Master Certification program, please visit
www.apicsnoco.org.
About Pelion Systems
Pelion Systems is a market leader in Lean Manufacturing solutions that
drive flexibility to help manufacturers solve the customer service vs.
profitability challenge. Working with Pelion's expert consultants, Lean
Manufacturing Operating System, and individual workbenches, companies with
complex processes and production environments are able to achieve rapid
transformations and continuous improvements in areas such as labor,
inventory and shipping costs while simultaneously improving cycle time and
delivery capabilities. Pelion's technology integrates easily with and
extends the value of existing ERP, SCM, and plant-floor systems. Solutions
are able to scale from a single facility to an extended enterprise
implementation, applying Lean principles to synchronize production, supply
and distribution and form a true demand-driven network. Pelion is
headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, with sales offices in Detroit, Chicago
and Boston. For more information, please visit www.pelionsystems.com.