SHINGO PRIZE
for Excellence in Manufacturing
THE VIRGINIA MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION AND UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY
ANNOUNCE AN AGREEMENT TO AWARD THE SHINGO PRIZE IN VIRGINIA
--Virginia is the first state level award in the United States--
The pressures exerted by global competition on industry demand that manufacturers develop world-class manufacturing processes and strategies. The Shingo Prize, described by Business Week as “the Nobel Prize of Manufacturing”, recognizes those companies that have achieved that level of total production management. Named for Dr. Shigeo Shingo, the prize is recognition that a company has developed lean manufacturing processes from the production floor to the corporate office. These efficiencies are also experienced throughout the entire supply chain, which benefits those companies they do business with.
Historically the Shingo Prize has been open to all manufacturers in North America and several Virginia companies have already been recipients of the North American prize. This new arrangement will provide a greater opportunity for Virginia companies to participate because of an increased local examiner team and lower application cost. This new network will lead to greater training opportunities and an increased interest in improving manufacturing processes.
Another beneficial result of this program will be the enhanced development of Virginia as a world-class manufacturing state. From an economic development perspective, having a workforce with world class skills and a solid industry supply chain is an exciting prospect. In 2004 we honored our first two recipients.
The HON Company and STIHL were honored at our 2004 Annual Meeting as our first two Virginia Shingo Prize recipients. These two companies exhibited world-class manufacturing practices and a world-class workforce. Both companies found the application process, site visit and feedback report to be valuable deliverables of the Prize program.