South Carolina Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing Accepting Applications through July
For the first time, South Carolina manufacturers will be able to apply for the prestigious Shingo Prize at the state level. The South Carolina Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing recognizes companies and plants located in the state that have demonstrated outstanding achievements in manufacturing and business processes leading to outstanding quality, cost, delivery, and business results. The prize has been established in South Carolina to create an increased awareness of the development and implementation of lean manufacturing principles and techniques.
History of the Prize
The North American Shingo Prize, established in 1988, is open to manufacturers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and through a stringent application process is awarded to companies who achieve world-class manufacturing status. The South Carolina Shingo Prize brings similar stringent standards to measure the state’s manufacturing performance and is administered by the South Carolina Manufacturers’ Alliance with assistance from SCMEP, under charter from the North American Shingo Prize. Previous North American prize winners include Timken Corporation in Gaffney and Bridgestone-Firestone in Aiken.
The prize is named for the late Japanese industrial engineer Shigeo Shingo, who distinguished himself as one of the world’s leading experts in improving manufacturing processes. Dr. Shingo has been described as an “engineering genius” who helped create and write about many aspects of the revolutionary manufacturing practices which comprise the renowned Toyota Production System.
“It’s an honor for us in South Carolina to be able to award state Shingo Prizes, and we are looking forward to some of our world-class manufacturers challenging for the Prize,” says Chris Klasing, South Carolina Shingo Prize administrator. “We join only 14 other states who have been chartered to award state Shingo Prizes. South Carolina manufacturers are as good as anywhere else, and we need to give recognition to those plants that deserve it.”
How does a South Carolina Company Apply for the Prize?
- Complete an Intent to Apply Form by July 31, 2006
- Submit the appropriate application fee ($3,500 for large companies over 500 employees, $1,500 for small companies less than 500 employees
- Complete and submit an Achievement Report detailing the company’s efforts and improvements resulting from lean manufacturing and business process implementations by August 31, 2006
Download an Intent to Apply form or read many more details on the web at www.scshingoprize.com.
Contact Chris Klasing, South Carolina Shingo Prize administrator
JCK Associates, Inc.
PO Box 8363
Greenville, SC 29604
(864) 213-4202
JCKAssoc@bellsouth.net
