Mid-West Lean Network Conference: Are People Central to Lean?

The Mid-West Lean Network has developed considerably since its formation in November 2016. There are now in excess of 100 member companies in the Network, deriving benefits from the over 40 Lean-focused workshops and 5 conferences held to date.

Are people truly at the heart of Lean principles?

Join us at the Mid-West Lean Network Annual Conference as we explore this pivotal question! This year’s theme, “Are People Central to Lean?”, focuses on how human-centered approaches drive successful Lean transformations, fostering innovation, efficiency, and sustainable growth.

Attendees will gain insights from industry leaders and network with like-minded professionals, all aimed at enhancing Lean processes through a focus on people.

An impressive line-up of speakers from diverse sectors will share their stories:

• Martin O Shaughnessy, Operations Director, Advanced Technical Concepts
• Paul Taylor, Panametrics Global Quality Leader, Baker Hughes
• Dolores Ryan, Director of Manufacturing Operations, Beckman Coulter    Diagnostics
• Ciara Barrett, Continuous Improvement Specialist, Regeneron
• Teresa Prendergast, Director of Continuous Improvement, Cook Medical

A3 Project Storyboards’ Street Event

A key element of this annual conference is the inclusion of a Lean-related award. This year’s award, which is sponsored by LBS Partners, will go to the 2 best A3 projects ‘storyboard’ entered as part of the ‘Street Event’ element of the conference programme. There are two awards this year:

• Micro, Small, Medium Enterprise (MSME) (<250 employees)
• Large Enterprise (>250 employees)

The ‘Street Event’ will include displays of the shortlisted A3 storyboards. Each project storyboard will outline the process the company used to attain a solution for their identified problem, with each milestone recorded and an overall quantifiable benefit derived. The storyboards will outline how the judging criteria – Problem, Process, Milestone, Benefit – were met. Conference attendees will select the winner via an online voting system in the auditorium.

Keynote speaker

Noel Hennessy, Managing Director, Practical Lean Solutions

Noel was the EU/Asia Enterprise Excellence Director for Lake Region Medical (now Integer) at New Ross, County Wexford. During Noel’s tenure, the site achieved in 2012 the distinction of becoming the first company in any sector in Ireland, and the first medical device company in Europe, to achieve the prestigious Shingo Accreditation. Also in 2012, it was crowned Irish Medical Technology Company of the Year in recognition of its Enterprise Excellence Program.

A committed life-long-learner, Noel’s search for best practices has seen him participate in global benchmarking visits across Europe, Japan, USA, and India; he has an MSc in Lean Operations from Cardiff University; and attained his Doctorate in Business Administration from WIT (now South East Technological University). In 2021, Noel published the Human Lean book with his co-author John Bicheno, which has won both Shingo and Lean Business Ireland Publication Awards.

In October 2023 Noel was inducted into the Shingo Academy Hall of Fame for his contribution to organisational excellence across Ireland and further afield.

Fees: including parking, refreshments and lunch.

Member rate €120 (+VAT)

Non Member rate €150 (+VAT)

*Please note! Ticket price at the checkout will include 23%  VAT.

Please book online to secure your place. 

If you have any questions or would like to place a group booking please contact Lijana via email lkizaite@shannonchamber.ie