"For instance, a blind man was assigned to the stock department to count bolts and nuts for shipment to branch establishments. Two other able-bodied men were already employed on this work. In two days the foreman sent a note to the transfer department releasing the able-bodied men because the blind man was able to do not only his own work but also the work that had formerly been done by the sound men."
Henry Ford
The Centers for the Disabled BRIDGE THE GAP by reaching out for help with the tools and knowledge to assure that the people you are training are working under the best manufacturing structure possible ... assuring that their efforts result in high quality production delivered on time
Call or email whether you are a lean expert, managing a center for the disabled, or a manufacturer and we will gladly help you connect with the resources in your community to start bridging the gap, and making a difference
SPECIAL EXCELLENCE
Where the Lean Manufacturing community connects thousands of people with disabilities to manufacturers who can use their talents to create superior value for their customers
Lean Manufacturing professionals have the right knowledge - simple kanbans, mistake-proofed work processes, visual controls, and standard work - to help the people working with the disabled turn their skills and work ethic into sources of high value adding supply to the manufacturing community.
Lean experts are uniquely qualified to make a real difference in people's lives in their own communities, and to help their manufacturing friends and clients at the same time
Lean Experts BRIDGE THE GAP by offering up just a little of their time to any of the thousands of organizations across the country teaching skills and providing opportunities for your neighbors with physical, emotional and mental disabilities
Those of us working in lean manufacturing know that Ohno said all Toyota knew they learned from Henry Ford. We can learn from Ford as well ...
“To discover just what was the real situation, I had all of the different jobs in the factory classified …. Therefore, out of 7,882 kinds of jobs, 4,034--although some of them required strength--did not require full physical capacity.”
And we know that the cornerstone of lean is honest, fundamental respect for all people.
Let's demonstrate the power of lean for the people who need us most.
"All Fords are exactly alike, but no two men are just alike. Every new life is a new thing under the sun; there has never been anything just like it before, never will be again. A young man ought to get that idea about himself; he should look for the single spark of individuality that makes him different from other folks, and develop that for all he is worth."
Henry Ford
MANUFACTURERS BRIDGE THE GAP by recognizing that the leadershp of the centers often have a limited manufacturing management background, and they only need education, mentoring and support to learn how to assure that the people they serve can become your best suppliers; and by reaching out to find ways to support them
The universal symbol for "eager and able to get to work"
There are no fees or costs associated with Special Excellence It's aim is to create an opportunity for those of us who make our living through Lean to give back to the communities that support us
This web site and all images and documents attached or linked are the sole copyright of William H Waddell 2009 unless otherwise noted; and may be reproduced by permission only.For reprints please contact William H Waddell.
