An Approach to Continuous Improvement

The presentation provides an overview describing the improvement strategy and the journey to date at the Bombardier Toronto site aircraft manufacturing facility. The strategy combines aspects of Six Sigma, Lean and an approach used to sustain gains and foster continuous improvement behavior of the employees.

Bombardier is a world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from regional aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2005, were $15.8 billion US and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). News and information are available at www.bombardier.com.

Gordon Castle, Line Manager / Master Six Sigma Agent

Gordon has been involved in Aerospace manufacturing for 28 years having held leadership roles in Manufacturing Engineering , Manufacturing Research & Development , Methods (Bombardier), Material Logistics (Bombardier) and since 2001 has lead the Achieving Manufacturing Excellence initiative at Bombardier’s Toronto facility.

During the past four years he has lead a team in developing and putting into practice, a manufacturing improvement strategy called Achieving Manufacturing Excellence. This strategy couples a transformation of employee behaviors in conjunction with new process adoption. A blended adaptation of Six Sigma and Lean combined with a focus on sustaining behaviors, forms the core of the implementation methodology. Since 2001, the Toronto site continues to undergo a transformation in areas of visual management, 5S, waste elimination, and the continuing pursuit of lean value streams.

Gordon is a graduate of Ryerson University in Electrical Engineering Technology and has completed a Masters in Operations Management certificate from York University. He is a Master Black Belt (Master Six Sigma Agent) from Bombardiers internally developed Six Sigma program.