Posts by C.A. Lawton
Problem solving with Lean Green Belt training
As we have discussed in previous articles, Lean is all about eliminating eight kinds of waste, called TIMWOODS in Lean terminology. Green Belt training gives employees of The C.A. Lawton Co. an opportunity to further develop the company’s Lean culture, strengthen teamwork and leadership skills and learn about Lean tools that can help them eliminate…
Read MoreThe history of Lean – fun facts
The Lean mindset drives everything we do at Lawton and keeps us improving to better serve our customers. That’s why we’ve been exploring its roots in this article series. Now that you understand how Lean has evolved during the last seven centuries, it’s time to take a closer look at some little-known but fun facts…
Read MoreTwo women reflect on working in the Lawton foundry
For much of its long history, the metalcasting industry has been dominated by men. This has also been the case at Lawton – until recently. Now we have two strong women working in the foundry. We recently sat down with them to learn about their remarkable experiences at Lawton. First, meet Dani. She is 21…
Read MoreThe history of Lean – part 4
During the 20th century, the concept of Lean became a worldwide phenomenon from an unlikely source: a small Japanese loom manufacturer that would become one of the world’s most well-known and respected auto manufacturers: Toyota. Through the Toyota Production System (TPS), the Japanese automaker molded ideas for making improvements into the concept of lean. Toyota…
Read MoreThe history of Lean – part 3
The 1900s were a pivotal time in the history of Lean. It was during this era that the Gilbreths introduced the idea of process analysis and process mapping. Frederick W. Taylor introduced the concept of scientific management to further streamline manufacturing processes. And Henry Ford built upon these ideas to mass produce affordable automobiles. Although…
Read MoreLawton welcomes Puerto Rican workers
In September, The C.A. Lawton Co. began working with an agency that is dedicated to filling open positions across the United States with workers from Puerto Rico. In October of 2017, Puerto Rico was devastated by Hurricane Maria and is still in the process of recovering from this disaster. The jobs provided through this program…
Read MoreThe history of Lean – part 2
Since the 1400s, innovators like Jean Baptiste Vaquette de Gribeauval, Honoré Blanc and Eli Whitney have developed new ways to eliminate waste in manufacturing. By reducing waste, processes become Lean and manufacturers are able to meet and sustain higher quality standards more safely and efficiently. Although Whitney, Ford, and Toyota are commonly credited for the…
Read MoreIntroducing Barry Adamski, the new company president
The C.A. Lawton Co. is proud to introduce, new company president, Barry Adamski. Adamski has made a remarkable impact on the company over the past three years as COO and Lean expert at Lawton and will be responsible for inspiring and producing even more remarkable results in this new role. Adamski’s role as president will…
Read MoreThe history of Lean – part 1
Although many people believe the concept of Lean originated with Henry Ford and Toyota in the 1900s, its roots can be traced back to the 1450s in Venice. Lean is a concept or way of thinking that focuses on eliminating waste and streamlining processes to save time, space, materials, and money. Its name comes from…
Read MoreOn July 4th, remember those who sacrificed everything
As we celebrate our 243rd birthday as a country, we look back at the people who signed their names to our Declaration of Independence. Providence shows us the historical significance of that moment. But who were these 56 individuals? They came from all walks of colonial life: 24 of the signers were lawyers and jurists,…
Read MoreGreen Masters: A key to sustainability at Lawton
The Green Masters Program was created by the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council to challenge participating businesses to continuously improve their sustainability efforts. Continuous improvement is already a large part of the culture at The C.A. Lawton Co., and through the Green Masters Program, sustainability will be, too. Participating Wisconsin companies fill out a questionnaire that…
Read MoreLawton is built by “everyday innovators”
As we explained in the article, How EBI Lite generates incredible momentum for improvement, EBI stands for employee-built ideas. At The C.A. Lawton Co., we strive for continuous improvement. The best way to achieve it is by inspiring employees to make incremental improvements in their individual roles and work environments every day. Although all Lawton…
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