High Performance Consortium Updates

Updates from January 31, 2012

Emerald Valley High Performance Enterprise Consortium (EV HPEC)

Formed in 2007, EV HPEC is a business-led consortium of local companies learning and implementing Lean /High Performance practices. Companies learn and share best practices to continuously improve business, job retention, and job growth. With a focus on product quality, timeliness, and managed costs, companies are able to be more successful in attracting and retaining customers in local to global markets. Trainings focus on increasing value-added (what the customer is willing to pay for) and decreasing non-value added activity (waste). The current cost of training ranges from $500 for half-day events to $5,000 for full day conference type events.

At present, EV HPEC membership has declined slightly, but holds steady at twelve companies that pay annual dues to support the costs of providing trainings and project management. Eleven of the twelve members are manufacturers, and the majority of participants in workforce trainings are from manufacturing. Investments in workforce training supporting Lean and High Performance Enterprise initiatives have increased the skills and knowledge of workers and supported effectiveness and efficiency of businesses to be competitive and successful in the global market place. Grant funds or public investments supporting either training costs or project development and coordination have been essential in achieving the impact and results of the Consortium. Participating companies have sustained or retained market share as a result of implementing Lean and continuous improvement practices.

EV HPEC serves the southern Willamette Valley in partnership with local Businesses in Lane County, Lane Workforce Partnership, Lane County Economic Development, and Lane Community College Small Business Development Center. From 2007 through 2011 the Consortium has provided workforce training in 15 specialized topics supporting Lean and business improvement practices. There have been 908 enrollments from local businesses in the focused training and learning events. Examples of results include increasing production at a workstation by 50%, reducing costs of a production process by 65%, reducing inventory levels by 30 % in raw materials and 75% in finished goods, better “flow” in manufacturing processes, and reduced work in process by 80 %, and improved throughput by 54%. These results translate into longer-term job retention and business sustainability.

For more information about programs or membership, go to www.evhpec.org. Contact: Dave Oatman, Managing Director of EV HPEC at 541-517-5501 or doatman@comcast.net

High Desert Enterprise Consortium (HiDEC)

Today HiDEC has a strong membership and is supported by membership dues and in-kind support from EDCO. Manufacturers run the organization, set the agenda and determine training priorities. The consortium’s members, representing approximately 20 companies and more than 3,500 employees from every community in Central Oregon, meet regularly for industry roundtables to discuss common issues and hold learning tours throughout the region at member manufacturing operations. HiDEC focuses on: Lean Training, learning Tours and Open-Forum Roundtables. In 2011, HiDEC trained 178 employees.

Currently, membership fees range from $400 - $1,400, depending on company size. Companies can also earn “refunds” on dues based on their willingness to provide a facility for training, a trainer for an event, or hosting a learning tour. HiDEC also offers funding to pay for the full cost of Kaizen events at member facilities.

For additional information about programs or membership, view www.hidec.org or contact Eric Strobel, EDCO Business Development Manager, at 541-388-3236 or 800-342-4135.

Mid-Willamette High Performance Consortium (MWHPC)

MWHPC now has almost 50 members, with membership increasing yearly. Though the group began as a group of manufacturers, it now has membership from other sectors including green technology, science, and healthcare.

The consortium provides a forum for collaboration and learning among members, and provides resources to companies for training and growth. It helps members set continuous improvement benchmarks, and provides guidance in the implementation of continuous improvement practices. Training topics change each year based on what industry prioritizes at their annual fall meeting. For 2011, training topics included: commercial building/energy efficiency, disposal of dangerous waste, sales and marketing, visual management, and basics of lean, value stream mapping, and set up reduction. The High Performance Consortium is one of four consortia supported by Job Growers; others focus on food processing, metals and secondary woods.

For additional information, contact Job Growers at www.workforce-solutions.net
And watch an informative overview of the consortia at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY7VoC-LpFA

Northwest High Performance Enterprise Consortium (NWHPEC)

The state’s first high-performance consortium (since 2002), NWHPEC currently has 46 member companies representing various industries in Oregon and SW Washington. To cope with challenges brought about by the recession, the consortium utilizes various strategies to support members during this difficult time. Strategies include charging membership dues on a sliding scale, offering a rebate on membership dues to companies hosting learning events, and making the highest use of internal resources through Learning Tours, Special Interest Groups, benchmarking, and peer-to-peer networking. NWHPEC members learn with and from each other through these various formal and informal events. Many members have considerable experience with Lean and are willing to share their best practices, knowledge, and experience with other member companies. Most learning events are scheduled on a “pull system,” meaning that NWHPEC members identify their learning needs and NWHPEC schedules training and events around those needs.

As a member-focused organization, NWHPEC conducts an annual survey to identify learning needs for the following year organizing Executive Forums and bringing in new learning to meet those needs. One example of this is a new partnership with the Energy Trust of Oregon and the Strategic Energy Group, which provides member companies training, support, and guidance in energy improvement. NWHPEC’s website, www.nwhpec.org provides members with a calendar of events, library of books and DVDs, and contains an extensive library of Lean principle training materials created by members themselves, as well as their Lean coach, Executive Forum presentations, and a variety of Lean templates and forms.

NWHPEC continues to support the Oregon Manufacturing Workforce Strategy and Oregon’s regional high performance consortia. NWHPEC is happy to support all new consortia and learning networks and is privileged to continue this work.

NWHPEC primarily serves Portland Metropolitan and Southwest Washington areas, but has members located throughout the state of Oregon.

For additional information about programs or membership, contact the Executive Director, Julie Simmons (formerly Hatten) at jlhatten@nwhpec.org.

Oregon Biosciences Association High Performance Consortium (OBA HPC)

OBA is currently maintaining its membership at 165 members, down from 198 at the end of 2008 – a common theme resulting from the recession. However, although some companies have dropped off, several new companies have joined as a result of recruitment efforts. Since Oregon’s bioscience community is focused on the production of medical devices, a large percentage of OBA companies are manufacturers.

The biggest news at OBA is a recent change in leadership. Former Executive Director, Bob Lanier, has moved to California and has been replace by Interim Director, John Tortorici, a former Board member. Mr. Tortorici, originally from New Jersey, has more than thirty year of experience in IT (including medical software) and previously served as the president of the Software Association of Oregon. Mr. Tortorici is committed to OBA and has hit the ground running to keep the organization moving forward – that includes coordination with OBA’s three regional chapters: Willamette Valley Bioscience Industry Consortium (Linn-Benton), Central Oregon OBA (Bend) and Southern Oregon Bioscience Industry Consortium (Medford).

A host of Lean and regulatory training classes have been provided through BioPro, OBA’s comprehensive training program developed in partnership with Worksystems Inc. and Worksource Oregon. The goal for BioPro is to raise the knowledge and efficiency of the local and regional bioscience workforce, thereby improving the industry’s competitiveness. Currently, BioPro boasts the ability to teach 99 regulatory topics throughout its entire organization, chapters included. OBA has a robust training schedule posted throughout the end of the year and looks forward to great things during the rest of this year and into 2010.

OBA serves bioscience companies throughout Oregon.

For additional information about programs or membership, contact Donna Chambers, OBA Office Manager, at 503-261-3960.

Southern Oregon High Performance Enterprise Consortium (SOHPEC)

SOHPEC currently partners with regional manufacturers, Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development Inc (SOREDI), Oregon State Economic Development Department, Rogue Community College (RCC), Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT), Southern Oregon University (SOU), Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP), and The Job Council to promote enterprise excellence for success in the current and future competitive environment by setting performance benchmarks and sharing information, training and resources.

Membership has continued to rebound to over 30 member companies and organizations, and companies from industries other than manufacturing can now join, as long as they meet membership expectations and requirements. Through the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, manufacturers set the agenda for training, open their plants for Kaizen events and send incumbent workers to training events. Presently, membership costs for Full Membership range from $100/month (for organizations of up to 5) and $350/month (for organizations over 100). Associate Membership costs are $100/quarter.

Recently, SOHPEC has implemented a hands-on training model designed to provide participants with real-world applications in a half-day format. Training cycles run for 8 weeks, with four of the classes hosted by a member company. These classes are a blend of classroom instruction and a Kaizen event...applying one of the Lean tools to an actual process in need of improvement. Member organizations can assign 1-3 employees to go through the whole cycle, or can take advantage of 'audit' seats as desired.

For more information, contact Lowell Gibson at 541-476-3166 or lowell@nicebadge.com.

Updates from December 17, 2008

Emerald Valley High Performance Enterprise Consortium (EV HPEC)

EV HPEC has been very active over the past two years. During the first year of OMWS, EV HPEC focused on establishing itself as an entity and on growing and adding value to its membership. It formed a steering committee, developed a preliminary business plan, and developed/maintained key partnerships with various groups including the Lane Workforce Partnership, NWHPEC and the other High Performance consortia, the Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and Lane Community College. The Consortium was able to leverage OMWS funds with Employer Workforce Training Funds (EWTF) and provided several Learning Exchanges and Lean training classes to its members.

In 2008, EV HPEC was formally established as an Oregon Nonprofit Corporation [501(c)6] and is closing out the year with fourteen dues-paying members and a committed seven-person board of directors. The ongoing Learning Exchanges and grant-funded Lean training classes and Executive Forums continue to add tremendous value to the local manufacturing community – so much so that the Lane County Board of Commissioners has awarded EV HPEC additional funds to continue training activities in 2009! The steering committee seeks to maintain momentum and continue to grow with thoughts of perhaps expanding membership to organizations outside of manufacturing. 2009 promises to be an exciting year for EV HPEC!

EV HPEC serves the southern Willamette Valley.

For additional information about programs or membership, contact Dave Oatman, EV HPEC project coordinator 541-517-5501.

High Desert Enterprise Consortium (HiDEC)

In partnership with and staffed by the Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO), HiDEC was established quickly during the first year of the OMWS and has been very active ever since. With 26 member companies and a highly engaged seven-person board, HiDEC holds monthly roundtables and conducts surveys to stay in touch with member needs. The Consortium has been able to leverage OMWS funds with Employer Workforce Training Funds used to provide various Lean training classes and Executive Forums.

HiDEC has found that Kaizen events are especially popular with its members and holds them on a regular basis. Kaizen events are hands-on continuous improvement activities that result in actual shop floor improvements for the host company. HiDEC has also explored alternative training methods such as webcasts, DVDs, and simulation kits developed for use by members. The Consortium is also looking at “bundling” companies with similar needs to better target training.

Over the past two years, HiDEC has been a major energizing force for the manufacturing community in Central Oregon. Recently the Consortium won the Economic Development Partnership of the Year Award. Kudos to HiDEC and its partners! With such dedication and enthusiasm, we can expect great things from HiDEC in 2009!

The group serves Central Oregon.

For additional information about programs or membership, contact Eric Strobel, EDCO business development manager, at 541-388-3236 or 800-342-4135.

Mid-Willamette High Performance Consortium (MWHPC)

Staffed by The Enterprise for Employment and Education (EEE) since its inception, MWHPC is governed by a steering committee and has grown to 36 members representing 13 industries most of which are in manufacturing. The first year was spent laying the foundation and direction for the Consortium. Now, MWHPC continues to attract additional members through Learning Tours, Executive Forums, Lean training events, and EEE’s work with three other industry consortia.

MWHPC uses the Kaizen approach to Learning Tours making them hands-on events that add considerable value to the host company. To stay current with member needs, MWHPC conducts annual surveys that guide activities for the following year. Because the need for Lean Manufacturing services is so great for members, EEE requires companies applying for Employer Workforce Training Funds for Lean projects to pay an amount equal to that requested. By leveraging the funds in this way, EEE hopes to help the public funds stretch further and provide assistance to more companies.
MWHPC has an aggressive training plan in place for 2009 and an initiative to raise awareness regarding Lean and the needs of manufacturing in various community organizations such as education, Worksource centers, and government entities. 2009 promises to be a very busy year for MWHPC!

MWHPC serves the central Willamette Valley.

For additional information about programs or membership, contact Karen Litvin, EEE workforce program manager, at 503-581-4272

Northwest High Performance Enterprise Consortium (NWHPEC)

NWHPEC, the first High Performance Enterprise Consortium in Oregon established in 2002, serves primarily the Portland Metro area including southwest Washington. NWHPEC has a stable, eight-member board and 62 current members. NWHPEC continues to add value to its members through Learning Tours, Executive Forums, and training classes which are scheduled on a “pull” system. The Consortium surveys members annually to stay current with member needs. Many of its members have considerable experience with Lean and some are proceeding very well along their Lean journey.

In addition to the services provided to its own members, NWHPEC has played a key role in assisting the regional consortia that have formed throughout the state. As OMWS grantee, NWHPEC has provided significant technical assistance on a variety of topics ranging from becoming an incorporated non-profit organization to coordinating Learning Tours. NWHPEC has shared training opportunities and provided significant moral support, advice, and encouragement to the regional consortia. As the regional Consortia grow and evolve into a peer network, NWHPEC can take pride in the significant role they have played in expanding the reach of high-performance manufacturing practices across the state. NWHPEC is looking forward to another exciting year in this arena in 2009!

NWHPEC serves the Portland Metropolitan and Southwest Washington areas.

For additional information about programs or membership, contact Julie Hatten, Executive Director, at 503-778-6208.

Oregon Biosciences Association High Performance Consortium (OBA HPC)

OBA has grown by leaps and bounds over the past two years and currently has 198 members – 25% more than this time last year! 167 of their members are directly industry related – half of them are manufacturers. With funding accessed through Worksystems, Inc., (WSI) OBA has developed a workforce training program called BIOPRO that includes regulatory, management and Lean training. Many employees participated in BIOPRO training classes during 2007 and 2008 and OBA is sharing the program with its newly formed regional bioscience industry consortia outside of the Portland Metro area.

In a high-expansion mode, OBA has been working hard to bring additional bioscience companies to Oregon. Because of the resulting tremendous growth and related work load, OBA has found it difficult to keep on track with their Lean initiative, OBA HPC. OBA has added additional staff to help with this and other OBA initiatives. OBA’s plan for 2009 is to host quarterly breakfast meetings to energize this initiative and demonstrate how Lean can help companies meet FDA regulations. Some OBA board members are very experienced with Lean and have committed to help lead the way for other companies. With so many projects in the offing, OBA is in for a wild ride in 2009!

OBA serves bioscience companies throughout Oregon.

For additional information about programs or membership, contact Donna Chambers, OBA office manager, at 503-261-3960.

Southern Oregon High Performance Enterprise Consortium (SOHPEC)

With 41 members (up from 30 at the end of 2007), SOHPEC is comprised of a diverse group representing manufacturing, health care, education and independent consultants. Although based in Medford, current SOHPEC membership extends over a wide geographic area including Roseburg, Bandon, Klamath Falls, and the coast.

With much planning, work, and technical assistance from NWHPEC, SOHPEC became established as an Oregon Nonprofit Corporation [501(c)(6)] in 2008. It has dues-paying members and a nine-person board. In addition to dues, SOHPEC has been successful at leveraging OMWS funds with other funds including Employer Workforce Training Funds making it possible to provide ongoing training for its members.

Close partnerships with other local entities such as the Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc. and Rogue Community College have fostered SOHPEC’s involvement in the region’s Power-Up Academy and given rise to mutual training initiatives. For instance, SOHPEC is currently partnering with the College on a Computer Academy and on a Lean Academy to provide training to members. SOHPEC recently hired a training coordinator to organize training events and to implement the Consortium’s marketing strategy including their “training postcard” initiative. SOHPEC also posts its training schedule on its website.
With an eye to the future and commitment to the mission, SOHPEC is holding firm to its goal of self-sufficiency in 2009. Next year holds high hopes for SOHPEC!

SOHPEC serves Southern Oregon.

For additional information about programs or membership, contact David Matthews, SOHPEC executive director, at 541-941-0433