Leonardo DRS Plant Tour: Lean in highly complex products

OVERVIEW

Join us for an immersive tour of Leonardo DRS's 300,000 square foot manufacturing facility, where the company is three years into lean transformation that's reshaping how it works. Unlike traditional lean showcases featuring high-volume repetitive production, Leonardo DRS is proving that lean principles can drive dramatic improvements in high-complexity, low-volume, labor-intensive manufacturing — the environment where many believe lean doesn't apply.

Observe multiple manufacturing cells operating to takt time, demonstrating how the company has established flow and tempo to meet customer demand while eliminating waste — even when building high-cost, customized products. Leonardo DRS's guides will explain the journey from hidden factory to transparent flow-based manufacturing and the unique challenges of creating rhythm and pull in non-repetitive work.

At each workstation, you'll see the company's lean daily management system in action through boards that drive accountability, problem-solving and continuous improvement at the front lines. Witness its 6S implementation throughout the facility, providing the foundation for visual management and standardization even with custom, complex products.

Learn about the company's lean boot camp program, its ambitious initiative to provide lean immersion training to all employees, creating a culture where continuous improvement is everyone's responsibility. See how they are developing lean thinking capabilities across the entire organization to tackle the unique challenges of complex product manufacturing.

Key takeaways include:

• Adapting lean principles to high-mix, low-volume environments

• Implementing standard work when every build has variation

• Practical 6S and visual management strategies for complex products

• Creating flow, tempo and pull in labor-intensive, custom manufacturing

• Building organizational capability through intentional training programs

This tour is perfect for organizations manufacturing complex products who wonder if lean can work in their environment.

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ABOUT THE COMPANY

For more than 50 years, Leonardo DRS has built a legacy of technology leadership by providing advanced defense products, systems and solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense and allied customers.

‍www.leonardodrs.com

Requirements & Restrictions

Requirements:‍

- Leather like closed-toe shoes (No high heels)
- Long or short-sleeved shirt/blouse, long pants (no shorts, skirts, dresses)
- Safety glasses (tour site to provide)

‍Restrictions:

- U.S. citizen only
- No recording devices
- No mobile phones
- No competitors

The facility has accessibility limitations: Moderate walking of long distances between buildings.

Lunch: Will be served in the keynote room at the Baird Center.

Tour participants will depart from and return to the Baird Center. Conference participants are not allowed to arrive to/depart from a tour site on their own.

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