Flexxaire Manufacturing Inc. has been providing innovative cooling solutions for the heavy equipment industry since 1989. Their fan systems have been successful in the forestry, agriculture, mining, construction, recycling and waste handling industries. Many equipment manufacturers install Flexxaire fan systems at their factories. Flexxaire began its Lean journey in 2002. Lean tools now compliment the company’s continued quest to meet increasing customer requirements, build a quality product and improve profitably. Flexxaire employs 36 exceptional people.
Mr. Clarke’s Biography
Tom Clarke is Lean Leader and Special Projects Manager at Flexxaire Manufacturing Inc., an Edmontonbased manufacturer. Tom’s responsibilities are varied and change as the company’s needs change. He currently covers implementation of the Lean Manufacturing philosophy, and is the factory representative and main contact for one of Flexxaire’s largest customers. Tom also gets involved in many unique projects and is part of the Flexxaire management team. Tom has 15 years of manufacturing experience, 13 of which have been with Flexxaire. Flexxaire is into the fourth year of their Lean journey. Tom is also part of the Edmonton Manufacturing Consortium board of directors.
In 1989, Tom completed the Mechanical Engineering Technology program at Kelsey Institute in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He is a Certified Engineering Technologist and has been a member of the Alberta Society of Engineering Technologists since 1993. Tom moved to Edmonton in 1992 to take a draftsman position with Flexxaire Manufacturing Inc. Since he started, Tom has held several positions within the company and has held management positions since 1995.
This presentation will discuss the journey and the results to date. It will detail how Flexxaire uses technology and people to improve their products and systems. There will be examples of how engineering uses technology to develop new fan
blade profiles and how technology improvements in the wind tunnel test facility improve design. Sales deliver orders direct to production. Production uses equipment and layout to achieve improved capacity and throughput. How Flexxaire has learned to use Lean tools and their people to improve the product and processes. The presentation will show how Flexxaire has Learned, Endured And Never given up on their lean journey. “We have come a long way but the road ahead is filled with opportunity”. Prepare to be Blown Away!.....
