“Pearson's Educational Measurement business is a mixed manufacturing/service model. Our customers expect shorter cycle times and defect free quality. The training our staff has received from the Lean Enterprise Systems Design Institute has helped us achieve double digit improvement in productivity and quality and reduced production costs 12.5 percent the first year.”

—Kay Kretsch; Vice President, Quality and Process Improvement; Pearson Assessments and Testing

“I look forward to partnering with the center as we transform our production practices to provide the United States Air Force the highest quality E-3 (AWACS) aircraft with greater efficiency and reduced costs. The Center for Executive Education is clearly the leader in the educational field for lean concepts.”

—Michael J. Novotny; Major, USAF; Chief, E-3/Services Branch

“Fantastic! It is more than theory — it is practical application that I have been able to bring back to my job.”

—Jennifer Bradley; Captain; United States Air Force

“Tennessee's on-site lean training has enabled Woodward to learn the theory and techniques of a lean enterprise and improve our operational performance to the point where it has become a competitive advantage in the aerospace marketplace.”

—Steve Ebbing; Operations Manager/Site Leader; Woodward Aircraft Engine Systems

“The concepts Lennox Industries have learned through the University of Tennessee’s lean training have become the foundation of the core operational processes we have implemented to significantly improve business results. In one business unit, we have reduced by 50 percent the manufacturing space required for assembly while doubling our capacity, improving quality 10-fold, and dramatically reducing warranty costs. In another business unit, we have dedicated certain models to specific lines, developed the ability to produce every model every day, and cut the length of these assembly lines in half, enabling the business to substantially improve delivery performance and cut finished goods inventory in the distribution system without adversely affecting customers.

Lean is like a journey, and each day we continue to learn more about how to apply its concepts. With the knowledgeable support of the university faculty who understand that lean fits each organization uniquely, we are continually uncovering solutions that are right for our organization.”

—Bernard M. Roy; General Plant Manager; Lennox Manufacturing Operations

“We've had more than 300 employees participate in Tennessee's programs on lean manufacturing, and, through the university's involvement in implementing lean across five business units, we've involved more than 5,000 employees. Tennessee 's work was pivotal — lean is now an ingrained way of thinking for our people.”

— Matt Kraft; Director of Lean Implementation; Cessna Aircraft Company

“Tennessee's Lean Enterprise Systems course provided the tools our MRO business needed to implement lean concepts. The blend of analytical and practical material provides the key to make our lean roll-out successful.”

—Clint Gill; Mechanical Engineer; Tinker Air Force Base

“As the big prime contractors in aerospace adopt lean principles, it becomes paramount that their suppliers implement these principles too. Tennessee's program provides a blueprint for implementation and success.”

—Keith McCoy; Lean Coordinator; Celltron, Inc.

“I would highly recommend this course for all of our high-level managers. A large part of what I received from the training was from the discussions/questions initiated by the class participants. This will enable us to light a fire under people in key positions.”

—Sue Prather; Supply Systems Analyst; United States Air Force