Lean Proves Lucrative for Medical Device Manufacturer

Thomas Medical has adopted a Lean approach to become one of the top medical device manufacturers in the Greater Philadelphia area.

EAST WHITELAND — Thomas Medical Products in the Great Valley Corporate Center has adopted a "pay it forward type of mentality" to help spread the benefits of lean manufacturing in the region.

"We had companies help us," said Peter J. Rapp, vice president of operations for the GE Healthcare company. Because of higher costs, U.S. manufacturers "need to have the right systems in place. Sharing best practices and learning from each other" is one way to do that.

In recognition of its efforts, the medical device maker was singled out by the Institute for World Class Manufacturing, the education and training program operated by the Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center, for its "Journey to World Class Manufacturing Award" at the organization's recent annual dinner.

"They participate in helping other companies by sharing with them their processes," said Mark Basla, vice president of marketing and business development for DVIRC. "They're good enough and nice enough to be willing to share with plant tours, roundtables and seminars.

"There are a lot of companies like Thomas Medical here (in the Delaware Valley) that do that — share their time and resources for the benefit of other companies in the region."

Lean is a systematic approach to identifying and eliminating waste — non-value added activities — and creating value for the customer. DVIRC said the system "typifies the best in leadership, culture, strategy and operational excellence that defines advanced manufacturers today."

DVIRC has done more than 600 projects for companies ranging from very small, 30 employees, to large multi-plant global businesses working on three continents.

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