Location
The AME West Region presents a follow up to our sold-out February 2025 tours in San Diego! We return to Riverside, CA in August 2025 with a hands-on tour of four great sites demonstrating how to deploy and sustain lean with their organizations. Spend time seeing lean practices in action on the shop floor. Please join us for two great days in Riverside, California!
See four great lean-thinking companies. Spend time seeing lean practices in action on the shop floor. This is a hands-on opportunity to tour four sites.
30 years ago, this Riverside, CA site was within days of declaring bankruptcy faced with zero operating margin and income. Efficiency and productivity was unacceptable; Customers were concerned about delivery, quality, and cost. Today, they are an Aerospace and Defense industry leader supplying advanced composite aircraft engine nacelle components and sub-assemblies powered by a culture supported through an annual process focused on the vital few initiatives and improvement targets necessary to achieve the business goals, shop floor processes automated and connected enabling a smart factory, and operations pulsed to match customer Takt time.
Phenix Technology, Inc. has spent over 50 years designingand manufacturing American-made fire helmets trusted by emergency personnel around the world. The company’s commitment to excellence extends beyond its products, earning national recognition for its workplace culture. In 2025, Phenix was named Employer of the Year by the National Association of Workforce Boards for its leadership in inclusive hiring and workforce development. Phenix’s success is powered by its Lean Manufacturing approach, built on the pillars of Respect for People and Continuous Improvement. Every team member is empowered to innovate, problem-solve, and contribute to the company’s mission of delivering top-quality gear. “Better People. Better Products. Better World” serving those who serve—through craftsmanship, culture, and community impact.
Proponent, the largest independent distributor of aircraft parts, has served the Airline, Operator, MRO, and OEM markets for over 50 years. With a global inventory and staff, they operate worldwide in aerospace. Their mission is to support customers and suppliers by understanding and meeting diverse needs. As a 100% employee-owned company for over 30 years, Proponent fosters a partnership-based culture where every team member is invested in client success. Long-term investments and decisions prioritize clients and employees, creating tailored, business-enhancing solutions. Proponent's lean culture emphasizes continuous improvement and efficiency through practices like Huddle Board Meetings, Leader Standard Work, Gemba Walks, CI projects, and Lean events such as Hoshin Kanri and Value Stream Mapping, ensuring operational excellence.
Riverside University Health System is the safety-net hospital for Riverside County’s 2.5 million residents. Beginning in 2017, RUHS began implementing continuous improvement processes to address increased patient demand that also required a higher level of care. By consistently engaging staff from multiple departments to help solve frontline problems, RUHS realized dramatic improvements in patient wait times and hospital discharges. The result: higher satisfaction for patients and staff, better outcomes, faster access to timely care and more efficient use of resources.
Meeting location/recommended lodging:
Marriott Riverside at the Convention Center
3400 Market Street
Riverside, CA 92501
AGENDA
Monday, August 11, 2025
**Complete all required Documents (NDA’s, security)
7:30 a.m. Registration and Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Depart for Phenix Technology, Inc. (Riverside, CA)
8:30 a.m. Arrive at Phenix
9:00 a.m. Welcome, Introduction
9:30 a.m. Tour
11:30 a.m. Feedback Session for Phenix Technolgy
11:45 p.m. Depart for Riverside Univ. Health
12:15-12:30 p.m. Arrive and Lunch at RUHS
1:15 p.m. Welcome, Introduction RUHS
1:45 p.m. Tour
3:45 p.m. Feedback Session for RUHS
4:15 p.m. Depart for hotel
5:30 p.m. AME Hosted networking dinner at Riverside Heroes Restaurant (optional)
Hero's Restaurant & Brewery
3397 Mission Inn Ave, Riverside, CA.
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
**Complete all required Documents (NDA’s, security)
7:30 a.m. Registration and Breakfast
7:45 a.m. Depart for Collins Aerospace Riverside
8:15 a.m. Arrive at Collins Aero, Riverside site
8:45 a.m. Welcome, Introduction
9:00 a.m. Tour
10:45 a.m. Feedback and Q&A Session for Collins
11:00 a.m. Depart for Proponent
12:15 p.m. Arrive at Proponent
12:15 p.m. Welcome and Lunch, Proponent Introduction
1:15 p.m. Tour
3:15 p.m. Feedback Session for Proponent
3:30 p.m. Depart for hotel / complete event survey
4:30-5:15p.m. Arrive at Riverside Marriott & Adjourn
Note: Due to heavy traffic on the 91 Freeway, we will have a 1-1.5-hour commute
Eye protection required.
No open toe shoes or high heels.
US citizenship required. Passport required
Dress code is business casual.
- Individuals interested in the dual aspects of lean: continuous improvement techniques and the Respect for People principles.
- Company or business leaders who want to take their organizations to the next level of safety, quality, lean, service and productivity.
- CI professionals, engineers, and operations leaders seeking to enhance their skillset and discover innovative strategies for implementing and sustaining lean.
- CEO’s and business owners aiming to uplevel operations performance through employee engagement.
- Students, educators, and individuals dedicated to mastering lean practices and cultivating the skills of the future workforce.
- Gain practical insights into lean methodologies through direct engagement with experts from aerospace, healthcare, and Fire Helmet manufacturing.
- Discover the unique adaptation of lean principles within these varied industries, each presenting distinct challenges and opportunities as well as their cultural impact.
- Engage in exploring the principles of Respect for People and the behaviors essential to fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Discover the innovative apprenticeship program spearheaded by Collins Aerospace in California, aimed at nurturing a skilled workforce for tomorrow.
- Discover Phenix unique processes for developing people and how they are building a people first culture.
- Attend an event known for its exceptional learning opportunities and expand your network by connecting with like-minded professionals to share expertise and best practices.
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