Fall 2024 CICC Participants Showcase Real-World Projects in Final Presentation

By: Dean Simmons

Final project presentations were delivered by the Fall 2024 participants of CONNSTEP’s Continuous Improvement Champion Certification (CICC) training program. The attendees included employees from Connecticut manufacturers serving a diverse range of industries, including architectural lighting, aerospace, medical devices, automotive, energy, defense, sports, and recreation.

Throughout the program, participants gained in-depth knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles, techniques, continuous improvement, and team building best practices. They applied the skills and tools mastered during their CICC coursework to real-world projects within their organizations. Each participant’s project was guided by CICC program leader Matin Karbassioon and culminated in a final presentation detailing the project’s objectives, current state, and envisioned future state.

The projects addressed critical productivity challenges within their respective organizations, achieving significant outcomes such as reduced lead and cycle times, improved workflow efficiency, enhanced inventory accuracy, increased capacity, elimination of non-value-added activities, standardized processes, and strengthened quality control measures.

CICC participants made their project presentations representing the following manufacturing companies:

Jaypro Sports

• Project: Soccer Goal Production Lead Time and Cost
• CICC attendees: Paul du Toit, Dean Coughlin

Joining Technologies

• Project: EMI Capacity: PSI Process Improvement
• CICC attendees: Matthew Lanpher, Phoebe Gonzales (CONNSTEP)

QTL Lighting

• Project: WIP Inventory Reduction & Accuracy
• CICC attendees: Omar Villanueva, Daniel Butkievich

The CICC program participants will receive their final certifications from CONNSTEP within 90 days after submitting an update on their project metrics. The next CICC course is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2025. Check our website for registration details: connstep.org/events.

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