Operational Excellence Workshop with lean enterprise leader, O.C. Tanner
Overview
Visit the O.C. Tanner world headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah for this two-day workshop on different approaches to improving flow.
See how the company created a lean enterprise grounded in employee engagement, with concurrent improvements in quality, cost, and delivery. The workshop explores the company’s lean journey to success, including policy deployment, order fulfillment systems, right-sized equipment, problem-solving, TWI, visual management, and logistics.
Lean flow simulation workshop facilitated by Ultradent
Struggling with delays, overproduction, or constant firefighting? This hands-on workshop will teach you how to turn chaotic processes into smooth, efficient workflows using Lean Flow principles. Through interactive simulations with cubed blocks, you'll learn to reduce waste, balance workloads, and optimize flow. Participants will complete at least four rounds of exercises, applying Jidoka, JIT, and Heijunka to refine processes. By the end, you'll be equipped to facilitate this simulation in your own facility, driving sustainable improvement.
Host Company
O.C. Tanner, helps people thrive at work. The O.C. Tanner company was founded in 1927 by Obert C. Tanner, a professor of philosophy who saw the value of recognizing people with tangible, lasting awards. More than 90 years later, O.C. Tanner is not only among the top two percent best lean enterprises in North America, but is a recognized leader in one-piece flow production (rings, emblems, trophies, etc.).
Ultradent, is a company driven to improve oral health globally through science, creativity, and education. Our passion to improve oral health has made Ultradent into a global dental manufacturing company that has experienced non-stop growth for over 45 years!
Presenter
Landon Klemme, serves as a Director of Manufacturing at the O.C. Tanner Company, a global leader in employee recognition products and services. With more than 28 years of experience at O.C. Tanner, Landon has played a key role in the company's evolution from a traditional, high-waste batch production environment to a people-centered, highly efficient lean manufacturing system.Throughout his career, Landon has benefited from the organization's strong commitment to developing its people. He has become a respected leader, coach, and mentor, helping numerous employees grow into leadership and technical roles. His tenure includes a wide range of operational and leadership positions, and he has contributed to countless improvement initiatives that have strengthened manufacturing performance and team capabilities across the company.
Skyler Coleman is a father of four rambunctious kids and serves as the Senior Continuous Improvement Black Belt at Ultradent Products Inc. He began his career at Ultradent in Chemical Formulations and worked his way up into a management role. Skyler started his Continuous Improvement journey after attending a 5S training that resonated so deeply with him, it has become part of his DNA. He led several projects to organize and streamline his department before joining the Continuous Improvement team. He now serves the people of Ultradent as a Mentor and Leader, facilitating cross-functional improvement in the manufacturing, operations and the business process space. Skyler is currently pursuing a Master Black Belt as part of his quest for lifelong learning. He studied Exercise Physiology at Utah State University and is a woodworker and guitar luthier in his spare time.
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Jason Baller is a seasoned leader with over a decade of experience spanning military service, aviation, and continuous improvement. He began his career in the U.S. Army, excelling in logistics and warehouse operations while managing multimillion-dollar assets and earning recognition for his leadership and attention to detail. After an honorable discharge, Jason transitioned into civilian aviation as a helicopter pilot, where he flew complex missions, served as a flight instructor, and later led flight school operations, mentoring instructors and students while maintaining a strong focus on safety and performance. Currently, Jason serves as a Continuous Improvement Black Belt at Ultradent in South Jordan, Utah, where he leads Lean and Six Sigma initiatives, facilitates Kaizen events, and helps embed a culture of problem solving and continuous learning across manufacturing and business units. He holds a BS in Business Management and an MBA from Western Governors University, along with Black Belt certification. Known for his commitment to excellence, strategic mindset, and passion for developing people, Jason brings disciplined leadership and practical improvement expertise to organizations focused on sustainable growth.
Agenda
Day 1
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
12:30 p.m. Welcome and Ice breaker
Introduction to flow simulation rounds 1 & 2
2:15 p.m. Break
2:25 p.m. Simulation rounds 3-5
3:45 p.m. Debrief
4 p.m. Flow simulation workshop concludes
Day 2
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
7:30 am Welcome and light breakfast
8 a.m. Introduction to O.C. Tanner
8:30 a.m. O.C. Tanner business
8:45 a.m. Executive Huddle
9:10 a.m. Pressed Product Team
9:50 a.m. Tours/Go and See Purchasing, Supplies, Housekeeping, Engineering
11:30 a.m. Lunch - prepared by O.C. Tanner's award winning chef
12:10 p.m. Awards Distribution Center (ADC) - Acrylic, Merchandise1:30 pm Front Line Panel
2:35 p.m. Stickle Bricks3:05 pm Culture
3:15 p.m. Discussion/Reflections
3:30 p.m. Event Concludes
PARTICIPANT BENEFITS
Day 1 simulation
- Identify and eliminate inefficiencies, like delays and overproduction.
- Learn to balance the best combination of People, Machines and Capacity.
- Apply Lean Flow principles through hands-on simulations.
- Understand and implement Jidoka, JIT, and Heijunka.
- Develop skills to facilitate flow simulations in your own facility
Day 2
- Hear from O.C. Tanner leaders from operations, lean enterprise development, supply chain, production, and others
- Learn best practices to cost effectively produce in a leaner flow
- Discover many of the processes necessary to achieve lean enterprise goals
- Feel a sense of continuous improvement culture and systems that support it
- Understand strategy-driven manufacturing and order fulfillment systems
- See how workplace culture and recognition play a role in business results
- Enjoy a lunch prepared by O.C. Tanner’s award winning chef
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
- Operations executives
- Lean executives
- Order fulfillment executives
- Supply chain executives
- Engineering managers
- Quality system managers
- Logistics managers
- Benchmarking personnel
- Managers
- Operations management and supervisors
- Engineers
Safety Requirements
O.C. Tanner tour site requirements
Bring a photo ID for checking in at security.
Wear close-toed shoes.
Safety glasses will be provided
OTHER REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Hotel Recommendation
Double Tree Inn - 110 West 600 South, Salt Lake City, UT
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Cancelation Policy: This event may be canceled by AME for any reason. AME is not responsible for incidental costs incurred by registrants. For paid events, registration fee less a $20 administration fee will be refunded up to one week before the event. Substitutions may be made up to three days prior to the start of the event.
