Lindsay Yates Group gets leaner

Sydney business, Lindsay Yates Group, becomes the one of the first printers in Australia to successfully complete the Lean Manufacturing training program.

Since signing up to the program which was delivered by Skilledforce and Applied Training Solutions in September 2007, all 55 staff at Lindsay Yates went back to the basics, learning how to apply and improve lean manufacturing skills into their work environment.

According to Paul Richardson, managing director of Lindsay Yates Group, the decision to take part was based on a desire to improve the company’s overall performance in a way that would benefit both the customer and staff from shopfloor to management.

“The Lean Manufacturing program meant that all departments within the business were measured against determined and set company objectives,” he said.

Pictured: the newly qualified team at Lindsay Yates Group.

Part of the transformation involved each of the staff entering into a formal traineeship. Richardson admits that coming to grips with the program and changing long-standing habits was challenging at first for some, but they soon realised the advantages of undertaking the training.

“The program reinforced what was already known to some and developed others skills and knowledge on how to streamline and create a more efficient company,” said senior printer, Craig Henley.

For Wayne McDougall, director of Skilledforce, who spent one day each week training the teams throughout the program, the employee’s response to change was encouraging. “The level of engagement and results achieved was quite impressive,” he said.

Today, Lindsay Yates Group has a much different work culture which is represented in the way the company is operating. “I couldn’t recommend the program highly enough,” said Richardson.