Apr 2018 – Nov 2019 · 1 yr 7 mos

• The Lean Enterprise Academy is a not for profit organisation. Our aim is to develop and disseminate knowledge of lean thinking and lean practice.
• We help organisations and individuals understand and implement lean thinking. We do this by working with you to define and address gaps in performance that need to be closed, developing both your capability to improve the flow of value to your customers and the problem solving ability of your people so that you can sustain the gains and continuously improve.
• We have worked with pioneers on all kinds of business problems, big and small, in almost every type of organisation and activity and lean thinking has always helped unlock levels of performance that weren’t possible through traditional management approaches. Ongoing performance improvement is only possible if you capture and build on the knowledge gained from implementation - so the focus of our work is to help build your internal capability to make the changes and sustain them yourselves.

Jan 2012 – Present · 14 yrs 3 mos

• In this refreshing and engaging book, Russell Watkins proves that 'lean' need not be a dull, dry topic. Adventures in Leanland weaves his global experiences into stories, examples and advice to challenge and inform.
• Russell's highly readable style traces a path through destinations as diverse as Mumbai and Mexico to give an honest evaluation of what you and your business must become to survive these turbulent times.

Jun 2007 – Present · 18 yrs 10 mos · Manchester to Mexico to Mumbai...most places

• We thrive on transferring practical knowledge, simply, to all levels. This is why our business is called “Sempaii”. In the last 17 years we have helped businesses from £1m to £6bn turnover, giving us the credibility of having managed the complexity of lean transformations in large and small clients alike
• Focused on leading manufacturing people to maximise the full potential of lean through SempaiGuide - practical, results-driven online lean courses
• I've held Operations, Materials and Lean positions within the Automotive, Aerospace and Construction Equipment sectors. Lean transformation work has taken me to shopfloors and boardrooms on 4 continents, upskilling 1000+ people to drive forward 100+ businesses in the UK, Europe, the US, China, India, Japan and South America
• Designed and run multi-site lean programmes and, among other clients, I've worked for 15 years with a Toyota Group company, created the JCB Production System and established Lean Academies for two £bn global manufacturing businesses
• Toyota Production System (TPS) trained by Toyota Japan sensei
• Experience within Automotive, JIT sequencing, Aerospace, Construction, Medical
• Extensive hands-on Lean experience
• Worked throughout the UK, Europe, the US, Mexico, China, India, Japan and South America.
• Multi-year judge & site assessor for The Manufacturer TMMX awards
• Conference speaker
• Author of 'Adventures in Leanland'

Jan 2005 – Jun 2007 · 2 yrs 5 mos

• Global responsibility for lean manufacturing within £2.75bn business across 18 facilities. Reported to Group Manufacturing Director and took direction from the Group Executive.

Jan 2002 – Jan 2005 · 3 yrs · West Midlands · On-site

• Responsibility for devising and delivering (both hands-on and through other engineers) the lean strategy for all UK plastics sites.

Jan 2001 – Jan 2002 · 1 yr · Stroud

• Responsible for the planning, leading and directing of all improvement activities within the manufacturing area of the business.

Jan 1999 – Dec 2000 · 1 yr 11 mos · West Midlands

• Trained full-time by Toyota Japanese Master Engineer whilst working hands-on in 17 automotive and aerospace companies. During 2000 worked as a solo engineer consulting to companies in various industries.

Aug 1997 – Dec 1998 · 1 yr 4 mos · Cheltenham

Jul 1993 – Aug 1997 · 4 yrs 1 mo · North Warwickshire