MWCC Quarterly Conference & Plant Tour

*** MEDA Members will receive a discounted rate ***

We look forward to having you join us for our morning “mini-conference,” where you will find examples, case studies, and informative discussions about the tools and methods of continuous improvement. Get ready to network with learners and leaders of the local Lean community!

Keynote Presentation by Jeremy Horn, Junior Partner, Business Improvement Group

Topic: Lean BASICS®

In this session, Jeremy will provide an overview of BASICS(r), Business Improvement Group’s structured implementation methodology for implementing and driving sustainable change. He will walk through core elements of BASICS®, highlight how it has been applied across industries, and show real-world applications from Thales.  Attendees will gain insight into how the approach helps organizations create flow, build accountability, and embed CI into daily operations.

Jeremy is a results-driven improvement practitioner and leadership coach with a strong record of helping organizations achieve meaningful change. Since 2019, he has partnered with the Maryland World Class Consortia (MWCC) to support clients such as Culta, Arnold Packaging, Chutes International, Anne Arundel County Food Bank, Tanglewood Conservatories, Parker Flavors, and Thales Defense & Security.

Member Presentation led by Steve Schrader, Vice President, Operations; Thales Defense & Security

Thales Defense & Security in Clarksburg, MD, recently embarked on a Lean transformation to improve its CNR radio assembly lines. The leadership team faced challenges with cluttered workstations, excess inventory on benches, limited standardization, and long cycle times. Through a structured Lean approach, they redesigned the production flow into a one-piece flow system, stood up visual management boards, and built a robust material delivery system with supermarkets and water spiders.

The presentation will take attendees inside this journey from the “before state” of bottlenecks and inconsistent management practices, to the redesigned “future state” that now features:

• One-Piece Flow Assembly: Faster, more organized lines with clear material movement.
• Visual Management Systems: Hour-by-hour boards, tiered huddles, and real-time performance tracking to drive accountability.
• Material Delivery & Supermarkets: Fully labeled bins and racks that enable efficient replenishment and accuracy.
• Leadership Engagement: Building a Core Team capable of sustaining Lean improvements and mentoring others.

The Thales team will share measurable results in cycle time reduction, staffing optimization, engagement, and demonstrate how Lean can rapidly transform a defense manufacturing environment.

What Attendees Will See on the Tour:

The tour will bring the story to life by walking attendees directly through the improved CNR assembly area. Expect to see:

• Before & After Contrasts: Stations that were once cluttered are now standardized with visual cues, tool organization, and clear product flow.
• Hour-by-Hour Boards in Action: Color-coded and line-specific boards being updated in real time by operators, showing production targets, staffing assignments, and progress at a glance.
• Supermarket & Material Delivery: Water spiders restocking bins with precision using rack-shelf-bin labels and color-coded tags — a living example of pull systems and visual control.
• Operator Engagement: Teams participating in daily huddles, reviewing performance, and surfacing blockers for rapid resolution.
• Next Steps in Progress: Expansion efforts into additional lines, reinforcing that this is not a one-off project but part of a larger enterprise-wide Lean journey.

This will not just be a “show and tell”. Attendees will experience how Lean concepts have been embedded into daily operations, creating a system that improves flow, accountability, and culture across the shop floor.

NOTE:  FIRST, go to 22605 Gateway Center Drive,  BUILDING #1, to sign-in and receive your guest badge before proceeding to Building #2 for the conference.

AGENDA

08:30 am Registration, Networking & Continental Breakfast
09:00 am Greetings
09:15 am Jeremy Horn, Business Improvement Group
10:30 am Networking/Break
10:40 am Member Presentation, Steve Schrader, Thales Defense & Security
11:50 am Q&A and Tour Prep
12:00 pm Thales tour
01:30 pm Lunch & Debrief
02:00 pm Conference concludes