Lisa K. Martin

I recently added a new book titled: Manufacturing Reliability the Pursuit for Excellence Moving the reactive manufacturing operation toward the proactive is often a complicated and misunderstood pathway. This book was written to help clear up many misconceptions and facilitate the movement toward improved maintenance and reliability in manufacturing. Please look at it and pass it on to anyone who may benefit from reading it.

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Lean Manufacturing: It's Still All About People, Darnit! Listen to this panel discussion featuring Sarah Tilkens, Carl Livesay and Dave Rizzardo on getting the most out of people by listening to them and understanding them. Click here to access the audio featured in Industrial Week: https://ow.ly/o6Rf50SO6ui

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Dive into the future of automotive manufacturing! Join Chris Balow, Director of Product Management at Plex, by Rockwell Automation, and uncover how automation revolutionizes efficiency and quality control in the industry. Don't miss out, register today! #webinar

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Toyota's Adoption of TWI: Successful application of the TWI skills November 20 Lean Frontiers will host a Fireside Chat with Mark Warren and Jim Huntzinger. Join us to learn the how and why of a success story to help guide you in achieving success. Learn how Toyota successfully integrated TWI into their management and operations. 3 Key Take aways.... • Understanding that TWI is more than a training program – horizontally & vertically. • Overcoming difficulty in expanding TWI use more broadly in an organization. • Overcoming difficulty in expanding TWI use more broadly in an organization as a scientific thinking skill. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gavQEKYF Amanda Day-OttSkylyr CunninghamSkip Steward, MBADustin M.Kt (Katlin) FosterJamie HoffmanAlex RussoOscar RocheBen ChoppingRebecca JenkinsRebecca MorganCheryl JekielJohn VellemaDwayne ButcherKelly MalleryDr. William Harvey, RBLP-T, CMQ/OEHugh AlleyMatthew JacksonDirk van RossumDave HillDavid Manning, SHRM-CP, SWPCindy HindsMcKee Foods CorporationA. O. Smith Corporation

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When a manufacturing company treats manufacturing as an unwanted distraction from the executives' "high finance" maneuvering, neglects it and starts taking it for granted, the company's trajectory turns downward and follows a sad, tired, and all-to-common script. #manufacturing #integrity #failedleadership #hypocrisy #indifference #conferenceroomcowboys #economy #jobs #lostopportunity #killingthegoosethatlaidthegoldeneggs https://lnkd.in/gEZPjNfS

In this series on Manufacturing Productivity, let’s get into a couple of neat tricks, a bit more sophisticated than standard method study and constraints management. #1 Is your equipment capable of producing the volume and product mix of today? Calculate what you can produce, with your workforce and the working hours available, equipment and product mix, up time and rejects, good pieces per hour. The standard arithmetic. Let’s add another question that isn’t so simple. Can your people, operating machinery, with the actual materials, routinely hold the spec? This answer involves the characteristics of materials and equipment and tooling of course, but consider also, does the spec need to be as tight as it is? I know all about 6 Sigma. I came out of pharmaceuticals, injectable solutions and my standard was zero failures per zillion. (We performed.) But does your spec have to be that tight? Making thumb tacks and hair curlers? 6 Sigma in a cabinet shop? With guys that use a rasp and sandpaper? I have also seen the negative effect of a dimensional spec arbitrarily applied to sunglasses. That equipment was as old as some of the workers. Use specs, sure, but be sure the equipment is able to hold the tolerance.   #2  MIL TS-F1   This sarcastic local wording came from a plant years ago, and meant “Make It Like the Spec For Once”. There was often little relationship between product from that plant, and the published product spec. If the marketplace has serious expectations for product specifications, be sure that your facility can perform. Obviously there will be a cost to assure performance to specs. The major factors are materials, capability of manufacturing equipment, good manufacturing methods, and trained personnel. Determine the real costs to produce, don’t kid yourself, and set a price that is profitable or understand that if you choose not to, for some reason, you will take a loss.  

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When everyone in manufacturing works together. Something truly amazing happens! We love to give the other side a hard time when it comes to design and production. But when the different specialties work together, we can make some pretty amazing stuff happen! 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐌𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬! 🔹LinkedIn: Jake Hall and ring the Bell 🔔 🔹The Manufacturing Millennial #themanufacturingmillennial #manufacturing #robotics #robots #roboticautomation #robotic #automationsolutions #automation #manufacturing #manufacturingindustry #manufacturingtechnology #electricalengineer #mechanicalengineering

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A career in manufacturing is often debated - some say it's good, others not so much, and some even consider it bad. The truth, however, is that it is a noble and challenging profession. It demands focus and discipline, but in return, it offers the satisfaction of making a meaningful impact in the world. #Manufacturing #Career #Impact

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This auto repair center brings up an evermore pressing issue in the manufacturing space: "who is responsible for this garbage that has been left in my mailbox?" As we see from manufacturers like Boeing, we have corporate purchasing agents submitting asks they don't understand to producers who have no knowledge of the need that is to be provided for, for customers who no longer have the personnel who know what was done originally. And as there are increasingly more technical professionals leaving the workforce than entering it, this issue is only going to compound such that only those who can produce their own components and also refine their own raw material to meet specification will survive as a business. https://lnkd.in/g3V9Zijj

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Are you in Manufacturing? You need to read this book! (It is a quick read ~55 minutes total) 5STAR+ RATING! LEAN Made Simple by Ryan Tierney I give it a 5 STAR+ rating. Why? Ryan, as a manufacturing leader lives through the fire, and wrote this book to help you implement Lean without wasting time on mistakes that he made in his journey. Ryan, his 2 brothers and the team at Seating Matters have built a thriving manufacturing business based on LEAN manufacturing success. It took him 10 years to reach this level and he still admits they have room to grow. This is a trait I have noticed, the further along in your Lean Journey, the more aware great leaders are that there is still so much room for improvement. The chapters roll by quickly and there are only 12 Core steps to the process. His Recommendations, Burning Questions, and 3 Steps I can take right now also allow you to use this book as a workbook for your Lean Journey. The reason it is so simplified is that he does Lean in the correct sequence: A) Leaders to Morning Meetings to a Lean Leaders Group to Sample Area. That is the foundation, now the successes roll in. B) Identifying waste, Improvement time, Total ownership for common areas, Making it easy, SOPs and Ownership. C) Don't stop Do it in this order, don't skip anything and don't stop! My favorite quote is pg 89: The Goal of every Lean organization is to make Lean habitual! Great job Ryan Tierney, I cannot wait to visit Europe and see your plant someday! I also look forward to meeting in person someday soon! To my clients, Lean Peers, future clients, and all manufacturing leaders: I urge you to get this book and read it. Consider sharing it with your teams as well. You can order it here: www.leanmadesimple.com ~$14 + shipping across the pond! As a Lean Consultant working to help companies make more with their current resources, this is another example that this approach works! #ManufacturingManager #OperationsManager #ManufacturingExcellence #OperationalEfficiency #ProductionManagement #LeanManufacturing #ProcessImprovement #ManufacturingLeadership #IndustrialManagement #ManufacturingInsights #ManagementBestPractices #OperationalLeadership PS I am thrilled with the similarities in priority and sequence that Ryan's book has with my Lean Starter Handbook. Download it here —> https://lnkd.in/dqbWr4FH

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If you're feeling the itch for something new but aren't quite sure what it is yet, you're not alone. Many manufacturing professionals know they want a change but need clarity on what that could look like. Start by identifying what you value most—be it innovation, leadership, or work-life balance—and seek out roles or projects that align with these values. What steps are you taking to explore new opportunities? Let's brainstorm together. #CareerExploration #ManufacturingCareers #JobSatisfaction

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I want to do a small “lean” networking experiment here in #Michigan. If you live or work in the area, and are interested in #lean, #leanmanufacturing, #leanhealthcare, #continuousimprovement, #operationalexcellence, and want to talk to build relationships with others who are also passionate about lean, I want to get to know you! The idea is to form a local network, where we can meet up preferably in person, once a month or so, share ideas, and learn from each other and have some fun while we are at it. If we can arrange to see examples, tour each other’s facilities, etc., all the better! As a caveat - I do not want this to morph into a “sales” thing - so the one rule is that no one should actively try to “sell” into the group - this is for learning, growth, fun, and relationship building. Comment below or message me if you or someone you know might be interested in participating!

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YO! A MACHINIST AT Apple?! Let me tell you why this visit MATTERS! 🤯 The line between tech and manufacturing is GONE, family! Here I am, standing in the ONLY Apple Developer Academy | MSU in the U.S., and it hits different. Why? Because Sarah Getter and her team are doing EXACTLY what manufacturing needs: ▪️ 100+ students trained yearly ▪️ 40+ apps launched on App Store ▪️ 90%+ job placement rate ▪️ Focus on diverse, untapped talent ▪️ Creating pathways to $100K+ careers Sound familiar? It should! This is the same transformation we're pushing in manufacturing! They're turning untapped talent into iOS developers, we're turning them into automation specialists and CNC programmers. Same mission, different tech! 💯 We had some powerful conversations and our mutual friend Cynthia Hutchison from US Center for Advanced Manufacturing even came up when we talked about the need and synergies in both these worlds. Think about it: - Manufacturing needs tech talent - Tech needs manufacturing knowledge - Communities need BOTH these pathways The future ain't about choosing between tech OR manufacturing - it's about mastering BOTH! And when you see what Apple's doing here in Detroit... man, the possibilities! 🚀 Stay tuned... this collaboration about to create some pathways that'll blow your mind! The Manufacturing Renaissance just leveled up! #ManufacturingTech #AppleDeveloperAcademy #NAMR #DetroitTech #UntappedTalent #FutureOfWork #BlueCollarBaller

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It’s Not a Truck! And Maybe That’s a Good Thing Trucks today are often massive, hard-to-handle gas guzzlers packed with too many buttons and outdated tech. They’re built for utility, sure, but often at the expense of comfort, performance, and modern innovation. Enter the Cybertruck—a radical reimagining of what a truck could be. It doesn’t feel like a traditional truck because it isn’t. And that’s the point. With its sleek interior, sports car-like handling, and self-driving capabilities, the Cybertruck merges utility with luxury and innovation. Its off-road readiness—complete with locking differentials, big wheels, and advanced suspension—means it still dominates the trail. But on the road, it’s a whole new experience: smooth, fast, and efficient. This isn’t just a truck. It’s a vision for the future of transportation, designed for those who refuse to settle for outdated norms. Calling it “not a truck” isn’t criticism…it’s a compliment. Because the Cybertruck doesn’t just replace trucks. It redefines them. If you’re considering getting a Cybertruck and aren’t sure if it’s the right fit, feel free to message me directly. I can offer $2,000 off and share insights from almost a year and 15,000 miles of all-terrain adventures. Let’s talk! #Cybertruck #ElectricTruck #EVRevolution #SustainableDriving #Tesla #FutureOfTrucks #InnovationOnWheels #OffRoadAdventures #LuxuryEV #TruckRedefined #ModernMobility #ProudOwner

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What is command & control leadership vs. servant leadership? & which is more effective? A central point of discussion I had with Joe Sullivan at the Manufacturing Executive Podcast ❌ Command leadership is characterized by a hierarchical structure via top-down communication, with a focus on 'taking orders'. ✅ Servant leadership focuses on a “bottom-up” approach which emphasizes the leader supporting & empowering the team. Inverting the organizational hierarchy empowers the manufacturing team, fostering a self-directed and empowered manufacturing workforce. 👉 Take your organizational chart and flip it upside down. Now study it. 👉 How can you support your team? 👉 How does it make you feel? #LeanManufacturing #ManufacturingLeadership #ManfuacturingTeamEngagement #TeamEngagement #EffectiveLeadership

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"You do not have enough focus on your bottlenecks or core process" I often get to share this statement as I hear manufacturing leaders share about their struggle to improve the bottleneck operations. I ask "How long does a change-over take?" "About 2 hours". they say ✅ IF YOU ARE MEASURING IN HOURS INSTEAD OF MINUTES, YOU DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH FOCUS! also MAKE IT VISUAL How about it takes us 115 minutes? Then if we miss by 20 minutes, that is a lot. If it takes us 2 hours and we only miss by 1/2 hour, that is not too bad. Urgency must be visually tracked and at divisible units. If you have 115 minute change-overs on a bottleneck operation, it is time to attack this with SMED, I have led many teams to bring change-overs down to less than 10 minutes! It is possible. I know you don't believe me and your process is special, but it is possible. You don't realize the downtime you are wasting in your operation. DM me to discuss and I can help you get started. ______________________________________________________ ✅ Lean Concepts work in the Office TOO! How about project managers? "A new product takes about 6-9 months, we try hard to improve but it usually takes a year."... this is what most product and engineering teams tell me. ✅ IF YOU ARE MEASURING IN MONTHS INSTEAD OF DAYS, YOU DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH FOCUS! MAKE IT VISUAL How about a new product takes us 127 working days? Boom, now there is a target. Let's see the Gantt Charts, have our weekly updates; and when behind, add resources to hit our targets. This one change in how bottleneck operations and projects are measured, and visually represented, can often bring huge improvements. 👉 What units are you using to measure change-overs or projects? 👉 What do you think of this concept? Accountants. How about # of days to close a month? Ever considered measuring that in hours instead of days? 5 day target and we close in 7 days is not bad. But 37 working hour target and we close in 52 working hours is terrible. Same performance, way different perception. #SMED #leanmanufacturing #bottlenecks #minutesnothours #improvements P.S MEASURE WHAT MATTERS! PPS. Do not use common numbers 100, or 120 minutes, use 98 or 118 or 121. You will have greater focus.

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"Lean manufacturing is about cutting jobs." I feel like part of a clean-up crew whenever I hear this comment. Typically, this line of thinking is the result of someone being uninformed because no one clarified the intent of Lean or misinformed, meaning someone spread this message to others. Can these principles be used to reduce labor and, therefore, jobs? Yes, of course. But like most devices, they can be weaponized by the user and not necessarily because that's the nature of the device or its intended use by the originators. Here's the truth: These principles help manufacturers enable profitable growth. If you can function efficiently and delight your customers, they will reward you with more and more business, leading to exponential growth. People get confused when they have a short-term and often self-centered perspective. When they see their work hours reduced because of gained efficiencies, they fail to realize that this will be a short-term effect and that the sales department will look to fill that surplus capacity with additional work. Always adopt the abundance mindset. Manufacturers should never grow profitability by focusing solely on cutting costs. You will become more efficient and absorb additional sales; that's how everyone wins. Watch this video from a recent presentation at a North Texas Chapter NTMA meeting, where I explain how manufacturers should think about Lean. #lean #leadership #manufacturing #leanmanufacturing

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