Speaker: Dr. Colin Herron MSc. (One North East)

About the event

For several years the secrets of the Japanese manufacturing systems have been known to the west. So why is it; that manufacturer's still do not apply them, and of those who do try up to 90% fail? Over a span of almost 20 years I have visited Japan at first with Nissan and secondly, to research Japanese production systems. Over the last 5 years I have visited some 30 companies in Japan, including the big 3, to assist in developing a regional support programme for North East manufacturers. The session will cover the key features which I believe makes Japan so successful and what we need to learn, to compete in the modern manufacturing era. The session will attempt to be provocative and encourage discussion with some hard facts about the state of our manufacturing base and the myths around lean which have developed.

About the speaker

Colin was seconded from Nissan to the regional development agency (One NorthEast), to set up a 'Best Practice' team to disseminate Japanese manufacturing techniques into western manufacturing. The secondment allowed Colin to complete a PhD looking at the transferability of Japanese lean tools into western manufacturing. After 2 years Colin Joined the Agency to run the project full time as well as being responsible for manufacturing and productivity support products being developed by the agency. In his role of Visiting Professor at Newcastle University he works with the regional universities and colleges to develop courses and deliver lectures.