ITBD Awarded Statewide Contract to Support NU CL&P Lean Enterprise Program

CCSU’s Institute of Technology and Business Development (ITBD) has been awarded a one-year contract with a one-year option from Northeast Utilities Connecticut Light and Power (NU CL&P) to help in-state manufacturers become more efficient. Called “Lean Enterprise Kaizen” processes for the company that developed most of them, combined with Kaizen, the Japanese word for continuous improvement as popularized by Toyota, they improve lead times and inventory control while driving out waste in manufacturing processes. And they fit right in with ITBD’s mission of providing training and services for technology, conferencing, bid matching, and business incubation to companies in need.

“This distinctive program demonstrates the benefits of economic partnership between state utilities, the University, and the private sector,” states CCSU President Richard L. Judd. CCSU Vice President for External Affairs Joseph H. Harper, Jr., adds: “This contract award is a great endorsement of the quality of the services ITBD provides to Connecticut businesses through the Institute’s faculty and administration.”

In the first year, the NU CL&P contract has the potential to exceed $400,000, which ITBD will use to subsidize Lean Enterprise implementations statewide. Under the contract, ITBD experts will introduce Connecticut manufacturers to Lean’s advantages, produce measurable and sustainable process improvements at the companies (ultimately resulting in reduced electrical energy use per unit manufactured), and demonstrate efficient and effective use of load management funds to assist companies in manufacturing process improvement.

This award is a logical outgrowth of services in Lean Manufacturing techniques that CCSU’s ITBD provides to Connecticut businesses. The assessment and implementation aspects of the PRIME program are similar to services that ITBD currently performs for the Connecticut Economic Resource Center (CERC), U.S. Department of Commerce, and Economic Development Authority, for which ITBD is evaluating progressive manufacturing in Connecticut.

According to Richard Mullins, Jr., managing director of the ITBD, “CCSU was the only institution of higher education selected by NU CL&P to provide the Lean Enterprise PRIME Audit service.” University faculty from CCSU’s School of Business and School of Technology, as well as selected adjunct faculty, will deliver the services of the PRIME Audit Program.

“I look forward to establishing additional partnerships with our state’s business community,” said Thomas Lorenzetti, who recently joined the ITBD group as sales specialist. “In view of the economic difficulties that manufacturers and businesses face today, it is ever more important for companies to focus on their employees’ training and technology needs, so that they can be better, quicker, and more responsive.”

One way to help companies to turn a profit and remain competitive is by implementing various “Lean Enterprise” tools, both in factory floor and office settings. Lorenzetti brings a wealth of knowledge in these areas, after having learned the tools working at both the former Johnson & Johnson Medical in Southington and the former Danaher-based Superior Electric in Bristol. Lorenzetti also has an extensive background in training and development, needs assessment, and curriculum design. “CCSU has the technical instructor base that is ready to move in and help,” he says.

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Lat Modified: Thursday May 29, 2008