SME
30min presentation by Wendy Chen (Chair, Toronto Chapter 26): Experience/Know-how of production off-shoring to mainland China. The reason lies in the fact, that CFN is just evaluating the possibilities and options. Interesting points in this respect are

• No-tangible advantages and disadvantages
  
• Who to handle engineering changes
  
• Who to overcome the time zone difference
  
• Any related experience
  
• …

                                              
This is a very impressive plant tour with lots of opportunities to talk directly to the top guy: Barry Wood!
The plant is using visual management techniques that you will not find in any book. They managed to change from a batch and queue system to an almost 100% pull system.
Now CFN and their team are facing an increasing volume from the aircraft industry and enormous challenges to accommodate this in the lean structure.
 
Will lean be able to really handle this fast load change or will CFN get pushed back into the “push” age, the batch and queue system?
These and other issues will be shown and discussed.
 
The increasing throughput puts also special burdens on the supplier which seem to develop to the biggest problems.
Having CFN internal processes and best practice procedures established and well documented is one thing, transferring the high quality standards and expectation to external supplies is a complete different story!
 
You will hear and see the corresponding problems and how CFN is approaching them.
 
“I must admit this plant tour will be Highly interesting!”

** Reservations by Friday, Feb. 17, please, to:
Wendy Chen, w.chen@utoronto.ca with your name, company, contact information (phone number and email) for registration.