Virtual Lean Peer Group #34
Build a Lean Culture to Ensure Long-Term Success
MWCC has offered Lean Peer Groups since 2012, and participation is open to organizations anywhere — not just those based in Maryland.
Lean principles apply to all types of organizations, including manufacturers, distributors, service providers, and non-profits. This program is a powerful way to strengthen your Continuous Improvement strategy by connecting with peers who are equally committed to building and sustaining a Lean culture.
Schedule - Each Lean Peer Group meets monthly via Zoom. (Refer to the registration page for the tentative schedule.) However, if anyone is unable to attend on these dates, they may attend one of the other Group meetings.
Format:
Program Features!
Who Should Attend?
What about the cost?
Lean Peer Group participation includes a one-year MWCC membership, a $1250 value.
NOTE: Your company might qualify for grant reimbursement of 50% of the $3000 fee at the end of the Peer Group round. (This reimbursement is subject to availability of funding and adequate appropriation.) Considering these factors, the effective cost for Maryland company participants would be $250 for the whole organization for this year-long program. (Non-Maryland organizations should check grant availability in their states.)
Your Lean Peer Group Facilitator
Dan Protzman has been a consulting partner to MWCC since 2019, bringing deep expertise in Lean and leadership development. As Vice President at Business Improvement Group, he helps organizations align strategy, execution, and culture. Dan is one of the few certified Lean Master Practitioners in the U.S., with additional credentials in TWI Job Instruction, the Harada Method, and Lean Leadership. He has trained in Japan with Toyota and the Shingo Institute.
Questions?
If you have questions about this program, contact MWCC Managing Director, Joyce La Padula, 410-960-3785.
LEAN PEER GROUP COHORT #35
February 18, 2026 thru January 20, 2027
Lean applies to any type of organization and processing environment. Whether you are a manufacturer, distributor, service organization, or a non-profit, this program should be part of your Continuous Improvement plan. Revamp and re-energize your Lean strategy by networking with and learning from others who are committed to creating a Lean culture.
Schedule - Each Lean Peer Group meets monthly. (Refer to the registration page for the tentative schedule.) However, if anyone is unable to attend on these dates, they may attend one of the other Group meetings.
Organizations – Not just for manufacturers, our Lean Peer Groups have a mix of companies from a broad range of industries and Lean maturity levels, from those who are just getting started to some who would be considered Lean-mature organizations. The only real requirement is a sincere desire and commitment to moving forward on this never-ending journey of excellence.
Meeting Attendees – There are no restrictions as to company position, but typical attendees include Lean facilitators and company leaders. Specifically, front-line leaders would gain greatly from ongoing participation. Though anyone in the organization who wants to learn more about Lean is welcome to participate.
Lean Peer Group participation includes a one-year MWCC membership, a $1250 value. NOTE: Your company might qualify for grant reimbursement of 50% of the $3000 fee at the end of the Peer Group round. (This reimbursement is subject to availability of funding and adequate appropriation.) Considering these factors, the effective cost for Maryland company participants would be $250 for the whole organization for this year-long program. (Non-Maryland organizations should check grant availability in their states.)
Dave Rizzardo has been the Associate Director of MWCC since 2014. In 2012, he co-developed the Lean Peer Group service and has been facilitating multiple groups since that time. His Lean experience predates the time when Lean became synonymous with business excellence. His recently published book, "Lean - Let's Get It Right! How to Build a Culture of Continuous Improvement", dives into many of the topics discussed and debated during the MWCC Lean Peer Group meetings.
If you have questions about this program, contact MWCC Associate Director, Dave Rizzardo (717-855-0765) , or MWCC Managing Director, Joyce La Padula (410-960-3785).
LEAN PEER GROUP COHORT #36
July 14, 2026 to June 15, 2027
Schedule - Each Lean Peer Group meets monthly VIA ZOOM. (Refer to the registration page for the tentative schedule.) Anyone unable to attend on these dates may attend one of the other Group meetings.
Lean Peer Group participation includes a one-year MWCC membership, a $1250 value. NOTE: Your company might qualify for grant reimbursement of 50% of the $3120 fee at the end of the Peer Group round. (This reimbursement is subject to availability of funding and adequate appropriation.) Considering these factors, the effective cost for Maryland company participants would be $250 for the whole organization for this year-long program. (Non-Maryland organizations should check grant availability in their states.)
Companies actively engaged in Lean offer a treasure trove of information when it comes to their respective Lean journeys. Benchmarking these companies brings you new ideas, an affirmation of your current practices, and an opportunity to be spurred on and take next steps in your own organization. To that end, we are continuing to bring you monthly tours so you can take advantage of this knowledge base. Each plant tour offers a unique opportunity to dialog with peers from across industries and functions about best practices, challenges and solutions to moving your organization forward.
LEAN MANUFACTURING PLANT TOUR
Join the Maryland World Class Consortia for a trip to Pennsylvania to tour Manitowoc! The Manitowoc Company, Inc. (“Manitowoc” or the “Company”) is a leading global provider of engineered lifting solutions with a history dating back to 1902. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Manitowoc designs, manufactures, markets, and supports a broad portfolio of crane products and related services for customers across construction, infrastructure, energy, industrial, and specialty lifting applications.
The Company serves customers through some of the most recognized brands in the lifting industry, including Grove, Manitowoc, National Crane, Potain, Shuttlelift, and Upfits by Aspen Equipment, along with support-focused businesses such as MGX Equipment Services. Together, these brands reflect
Manitowoc’s commitment to safe, productive, and reliable lifting solutions backed by lifecycle parts, service, training, financing, and customer support.
Shady Grove Campus Overview
The Shady Grove, Pennsylvania campus is Manitowoc’s largest crane manufacturing facility and a critical hub within the Company’s global manufacturing footprint. The campus spans approximately 300 acres and includes large-scale manufacturing, fabrication, machining, welding, paint, testing, and final assembly capabilities supporting mobile hydraulic cranes, lattice-boom crawler cranes, boom trucks, industrial cranes, and related products.
The Manitowoc Way
Manitowoc’s lean operating philosophy, known as “The Manitowoc Way,” is focused on continuously improving safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee engagement. Lean principles are applied not only on the factory floor, but across functions including supply chain, engineering, finance, marketing, and customer support. The goal is to reduce waste, improve flow, strengthen problem-solving, and deliver greater value to customers.
On September 22, 2026, visitors will have the opportunity to observe how teams at Shady Grove use practical continuous improvement {“kaizen”) tools to enhance safety, improve first-pass quality, increase productivity, reduce lead times, and create more efficient work processes. The visit is intended to provide a firsthand look at how disciplined lean thinking supports Manitowoc’s broader strategy and strengthens execution across a complex, high-mix manufacturing environment.
For more information, visit www.manitowoc.com.
Agenda (Subject to change):
09:00 - 09:15 Introduction/Refreshments
09:15 - 09:45 Host presentation on company, Lean journey, and tour specifics
09:45 - 11:15 Tour
11:15 - 11:30 Tour Debrief
11:30 - 12:30 Wrap Up/Lunch/Networking – Everyone to join in & discuss with MWCC & wrap up!
If you have any special dietary requirements, please contact us, and we will do our best to arrange alternative selections.
Substitutions for registrants permitted. No refunds.
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