2011 International Conference

The 2011 Shingo Prize Annual International Conference has continued to raise the bar of operational excellence. The theme throughout this year’s conference was centered on organizational culture. It is simply not enough to understand that success requires the tools of lean, six sigma, and other programs. It requires us to understand that it takes a complete transformation of organizational culture. Many of the conference’s presenters focused their message on how to fully embed correct principles of operational excellence into the minds, hearts, and behaviors of every single associate in an organization. 
                                          
Attendance at this year’s conference was even larger than last, with a great many attendees representing very senior levels of management along with several organizations sending a large number of employees. This was very heartening because there was a lot of effort expended to provide opportunities for attendees to network with their peers and to learn from key leaders who share similar responsibilities and experiences in their companies. Many had the chance to speak individually and make connections with peers that will serve them long after the conference is over.
                                                                                        
The highlight of the 2011 Annual International Conference was the Thursday evening Awards Gala where the Shingo award recipients were recognized. Each recipient company worked for many years to improve its processes and to lead cultural change before they were ready to challenge for a Shingo award. Having successfully completed their challenges, individuals from these organizations were sent to the conference and gala to represent all the company associates in receiving their recognition. 

2011 Shingo Bronze Medallion recipients:              
                Denver Health, Community Health Services, Denver, Colorado, USA
                Tobyhanna Army Depot, AIM-9M Sidewinder Missile, Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania, USA
 
2011 Shingo Silver Medallion recipient:   
                Autoliv Steering Wheels Mexico, Queretaro, Mexico
 
2011 The Shingo Prize recipients:               
                Goodyear do Brasil Produtos de Borracha Ltda, Americana, Sao Paulo, Brazil
                John Deere, Power Products, Greeneville, Tennessee, USA
                Lycoming Engines, Willliamsport, Pennsylvania, USA
 
Those who were not able to attend this year can look forward to an even more insightful and educational experience as the bar will be raised once again. The next annual conference will be held April 30 - May 4, 2012, in Jacksonville, Florida. We look forward to seeing you then!