INDUSTRY DIRECTORY

FOOD PROCESSORS WORKSHOP COMING UP

Published online: Dec 23, 2008 University of Idaho
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BOISE, Idaho-The University of Idaho Extension and TechHelp are sponsoring a "Lean Manufacturing for Food Processors" workshop Jan. 27 at the University of Idaho Boise location.

Participants will receive instruction on how to increase productivity, quality, capacity, employee satisfaction and market competitiveness while reducing waste, inventory, accidents and delivery times.

This full-day workshop will deal with lean manufacturing through a mix of hands-on simulations and classroom presentations. It is targeted to managers, office staff, production workers, supervisors and anyone interested in improved food processing methods.

Specific topics will include batch vs. lean manufacturing, standardized work, visual controls, plant layout, setup and batch size reduction, point-of-use storage, quality at the source and pull systems.

The workshop will be taught by manufacturing specialist Don Hansen and Extension food processing specialist Jeff Kronenberg of TechHelp and the University of Idaho, pioneers in Lean for Food training who together offer the benefits of 55 years of experience to their students.

According to Kronenberg, Idaho companies that have implemented lean manufacturing practices have reported 90 percent reductions in work-in-process and lead time, 50 percent reductions in floor space, 50 percent improvements in quality and 30 percent increases in productivity.  
          
Cost of the workshop, which is slated for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., is $300. Pre-registration is requested by Jan. 16 and seats are limited to the first 20 registrants.

For more information, contact Paula Peterman at 208-364-6188 or paulap@uidaho.edu or visit http://www.techhelp.org.

TechHelp is a partnership of Boise State University, University of Idaho and Idaho State University and an affiliate of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

From offices in Boise, Twin Falls, Pocatello and Post Falls, Idaho, experienced TechHelp specialists provide technical and professional assistance to Idaho manufacturers, processors and inventors to strengthen their global competitiveness through continuous product and process innovation.

TechHelp is also Idaho's Economic Development Administration University Center, targeting economically distressed areas of Idaho.