Tour
X*Cancelled HydraForce, Inc.
Tour Code: TT-08
Day and Time: Bus leaves 9:10 AM, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012
Length Including Travel Time: 3 ¾ hours
Tour Code: WT-07
Day and Time: Bus leaves 9:10 AM, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012
Length Including Travel Time: 3 ¾ hours
Putting Continuous Improvement to Work
Successful lean manufacturing
HydraForce became the world's top supplier of hydraulic cartridge valves and manifolds through its extensive use of lean practices and continuous improvement. On this tour, see 1) how the company uses lean practices, kaizen and continuous improvement as part of its everyday business; 2) work cell teams using standard work, one piece flow and kanban pull methods; 3) lean culture elements that include leader standard work, daily accountability meetings, gemba walks, leadership and visual management; 4) examples of a customer complaint meeting and root cause analysis; and 5) a demonstration of job instruction (JI) used as part of the training within industry (TWI).
X*Cancelled HydraForce, Inc.
HydraForce is the world's largest supplier of high performance hydraulic cartridge valves, electro-hydraulic valves, custom manifold systems and electro-hydraulic controllers for machine integration.
Jim Brizzolara
Jim Brizzolara is president of HydraForce, Inc., and one of three original founders.Mike Micklewright
Mike Micklewright is vice president of Global Continuous Improvement and Supplier Development.
No cameras or other recording devices
High-heeled shoes are not allowed
Safety glasses must be worn


Captain Mark Kelly
Mike Abrashoff
Jason Jennings
Doctor Patricia A. Gabow
Daniel T. Ariens
Once again, the Idea Exchange Café will be open for the interactive sharing of best practices among all participants. There will be six facilitated sessions on a variety of relevant topics taking place over two days. Come for the coffee - stay for the ideas! (read more...)
