2 Second lean tour Hampton Conservatories
Overview
Join AME and host Paul Akers for the next highly rated 2 Second Lean tour series!
The 2SL approach is like Mentoring on Steroids for companies who are interested in developing their people.
Hampton Conservatories changed their staff's mindset on batch production to a flow-based system. Highlights include a culture change, an environment created with 3s, a structure of process led improvements and the benefits of hosting lean tours.
This event is part of AME's 2 Second Lean Tour series hosted by Paul Akers, author of the book "2 Second Lean" and owner of FastCap.
Host Company
Hampton, originally Hampton Conservatories, was founded in 1982 and has since been a leading designer and manufacturer of bespoke hardwood glass buildings. We have developed unrivalled expertise in producing award-winning bespoke conservatories, orangeries, swimming pool enclosures, botanical glasshouses, garden rooms and glazed pavilions.
Although headquartered in the UK, we have a client base spanning several continents and many sectors, earning an impressive reputation for outstanding global design, superior quality and first-class customer service. Our projects have been showcased at leading exhibitions across the globe, and feature as extensions to a diverse range of prestigious buildings.
Presenter
Dwain Steele: Production Manager: I am a manufacturing professional with over 20 years in the industry, progressing from hands-on production roles to senior leadership positions. Throughout his career, he has developed a deep understanding of manufacturing processes, operational efficiency, and team leadership, allowing him to effectively bridge the gap between shop floor operations and strategic management.
For more than a decade, Dwain has held formal management responsibilities, leading multi-disciplinary teams and driving improvements in production performance, quality, and safety. He is particularly passionate about Lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement, focusing on practical, sustainable changes that increase efficiency while engaging and empowering employees.
In his role at Hampton Conservatories, Dwain oversees daily production workflows, allocates resources, monitors performance, and ensures that safety, quality, and delivery targets are consistently achieved. His leadership style is people-focused and results-driven, emphasizing accountability, teamwork, and the development of strong workplace culture.
Dwain is committed to improving operational performance
through structured processes, standard work, and effective communication. He takes pride in helping teams achieve higher standards while maintaining the craftsmanship and quality expected in high-end hardwood manufacturing.
Mervyn Montgomery: Director:
Mervyn is the driving force behind Hampton Conservatories, a UK-based specialist in high-end timber orangeries, conservatories, and greenhouses. With decades of hands-on experience, he combines deep craftsmanship expertise with a forward-thinking approach to design, engineering, and customer experience.
Hampton’s work spans the globe, with projects in Australia, Japan, the United States ,Istanbul, France, and Switzerland, alongside landmark commissions including The Goring Hotel, Harvard University, and restaurants associated with Gordon Ramsay to name a few.
What sets Mervyn apart is his commitment to Lean thinking. Under his leadership, Hampton has evolved into a business where continuous improvement, standardization, and visual management are embedded into daily operations. The result is a culture where quality is built into the process —not inspected at the end — enabling the delivery of complex, highly customized projects with consistency and precision.
Mervyn is passionate about sharing this journey. Through factory tours and industry collaboration, he opens Hampton’s doors to demonstrate how Lean principles can successfully operate within a premium, design-led manufacturing environment.
His focus is simple: to prove that world-class craftsmanship and Lean thinking can coexist — and raise the standard of manufacturing in the process.
Agenda
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 ET
11 a.m. Introduction to the tour and company - Dwain Steele
11:15 a.m. Tour
11:50 a.m. Questions and answers
12 p.m. Event adjourns
*You can attend the sessions and translate to a different language using the closed caption feature in zoom.
Use the Zoom bottom toolbar - Select "closed caption", Select "caption language" from pop up menu, Select language from pop up list
PARTICIPANT BENEFITS
That lean works in a bespoke business
Lean only works witha well-established culture
Lean is hard, thereare times it will test you and your team to the limit
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Smallbusiness owner/operators
Warehouse/ distribution center owners and managers
Wholesaleand distribution facility managers
Continuousimprovement leaders
Safety Requirements
OTHER REGISTRATION INFORMATION
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