Fred Shamburg’s Bio

In 1991, I was an Industrial Engineering Manager at Pratt and Whitney, United Technologies Corporation, when introduced to lean by one of the originators of the Toyota Production System. This ex-Toyota executive was brought into UTC to be a teacher, Sensei in Japan, to demonstrate the positive impact of establishing a new culture of thinking through lean, a Japanese system for continuous improvement. I was selected to be a team leader for the first P&W lean event, and quickly developed a passion for teaching and applying lean

I introduced myself to this Sensei assuring him if he was willing to teach me, I would be his best student in applying lean principles to the total business enterprise. A handshake was our contract, and the student-teacher relationship quickly grew into a personal friendship for the last 15 years. Through the years this Sensei has motivated me, taught me, challenged me, and most importantly; he became a role model. I am indebted to him because he inspired me to start Leanovations, LLC.

With a M.S. in Operations Management, a B.S. in Industrial Technology and over 20 years experience with large international companies as a Lean Executive, Director of Manufacturing, Operations Manager, Industrial Engineering Manager and a part-time University Instructor. I have experience working with companies in diverse industries that include: aerospace, automotive, medical, refrigeration, paper, electromechanical, metal cutting industries and the military.

My work in lean includes extensive international experience in Europe, Asia, Mexico, and the U.S.A. I have traveled worldwide teaching, coaching and implementing lean for the total business enterprise. I have established international alliances and partners for Leanovations to ensure the proper resources can be applied to benefit our global customers.

Prior to starting Leanovations LLC, I was a lean executive with a large international corporation, where my responsibilities included managing and leading the lean transformation of a group with 8 divisions and 37 facilities worldwide with over $1 billion in sales. Four of these facilities received the prestigious CEO Lean Award to include factories in Mexico, Switzerland, Wisconsin, and Maine.

I have been fortunate to be recognized for my leadership over the years. At a fortune 200 company, where I was an Operations Manager, my factory was awarded the Top Corporate Lean Award (1 of 8 selected out of 272), we also received APICS “Top Manufacturing Award”. At a different international company, where I was Director of Manufacturing, we were recognized by Industry Week as one of “America’s Top 25 Most Successful Small Companies”, and also received the “Connecticut’s Awards for Excellence in Manufacturing”.

I have been a guest speaker on many occasions for conferences and professional society meetings. I consider myself lucky that my career has allowed me to do something I truly have a passion for and to be surrounded by enthusiastic individuals embracing what I teach. It all begins with creating a true learning environment where individuals and teams are respected, challenged and empowered to make a difference.

If you are interested in a consultation, please contact me at:

Leanovations, LLC
www.leanovations.com
Office: (860) 479-0293