MPI Announces Lean Enterprise Implementation

May 15,2007

Seymour, CT – Microboard Processing Inc. (MPI), a leading supplier of innovative electronics manufacturing services (EMS), today announced its progress in implementing Lean Manufacturing principles throughout its manufacturing facilities.

Dao Weeman, Vice President of Business Process Re-Engineering and Systems is excited by how MPI has embraced Continuous Improvement as a corporate culture. "Continuous Improvement is no longer a new concept to Microboard Processing, but rather it is becoming a way of life for all of its employees," stated Weeman. "MPI continues to move forward with a robust Continuous Improvement implementation plan, centered on our customer's needs. Our passion for excellence will continue to propel us to Lean into the future!" she added.

Weeman commented that the company continues to hold at least one formal kaizen event per month and is planning an even more robust event calendar with two or more events scheduled per month beginning In January 2008. Many of the Kaizen events are being driven by MPI's Lean Champions a group of employees ranging from hourly associates, to executive vice presidents. Almost a dozen process owners underwent a rigorous Lean Champion Training program to learn the skills necessary to champion the process. The role of the champions is to support the process owners as Lean concepts continue to be built into every process, function, and department in order to achieve sustainable results.

MPI's Lean Vision and Continuous Improvement philosophy although originally initiated by Senior Management, has been embraced across all levels of the company and today is being driven largely by its hourly associates. Ashley Hoekenga, MPI's Director of Continuous Improvement, commented, "I frequently walk around the manufacturing floor with a smile of pride on my face because I've once again overheard an hourly associate say, 'Now that's not very Lean... Let's re-think that process.'" Hoekenga added that "MPI is very fortunate to have a senior management team that is 100% supportive of implementing Lean principles as part of our Continuous Improvement process. They allocate the time and money to truly walk the talk."

MPI continues to work at reducing all non-value-added activities across all functions of the business including both manufacturing and non-manufacturing areas. MPI expects some of its biggest opportunities to occur in the areas of supply chain, program management, engineering, accounting, etc. Great opportunities exist with the implementation of EDI and seamless integration with its customer and suppliers' business systems. Although MPI is still in the early phases of Lean implementation, they are excited to continue to take the company to the next level through a relentless pursuit of innovation, discipline, and the highest standards of performance by all levels of its workforce.

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