Robins AFB Wins Shingo Gold Prize
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Note KC-135 = 707 airliner!
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The Warner Robins Air Logistics Center (ALC) is the first public sector entity to be awarded the Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing (Gold Level). The C-5 Programmed Depot Maintenance workforce is receiving an award that BusinessWeek magazine referred to as the “Nobel prize of manufacturing,” awarded annually to companies that demonstrate world-class business results through the implementation of Lean Manufacturing principles and practices. The prize is administered by The College of Business at Utah State University, in cooperation with several nonprofit and corporate organizations.
Greg Beecher, 402nd Aircraft Maintenance Group Lean change manager, said the C-5 Galaxy team was chosen by the Center commander’s executive council because of the maturity of its Lean program and because it shows the breadth of Lean at Robins.
Some of the key accomplishments listed in the 100-page achievement report submitted to the Shingo Prize Committee earlier this year included 100% on-time delivery in fiscal 2004 (up from only 25% in FY 2001) and an average flow day reduction from 339 in FY 2001 to 234 in FY 2004.
The Warner Robins ALC is one of the Air Force’s three air logistics centers, and one of the three largest depot repair facilities in the DoD. The ALCs are the largest, most modern and most efficient of the eight DoD Aviation Depots. Warner Robins ALC is the Airlift Center of Excellence for the US Air Force, managing the Giant C-5 Galaxy transports, as well as smaller C-17 Globemaster, C-141 Starlifter, and C-130 Hercules aircraft. In addition, the center also serves as the “sustainment manager” for Combat Systems such as the F-15 Eagle, E-8 JSTARS, U-2 spyplane and related intelligence systems, and Special Operations Systems. To execute this capability, Robins has developed over 30 sustainment Public-Private Partnerships with industry.
The Shingo Prize is named in honor of the late Dr. Shigeo Shingo who helped create, train and write about many aspects of the renowned Toyota Production System and related production systems.
