Lean work helps Boston Centerless win Shingo medal

Boston Centerless has been named a 2006 Silver Medal recipient of the Northeast Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing. Referred to as the "Nobel Prize of Manufacturing" by Business Week, the Shingo Prize is recognized as a premier manufacturing award and recognition program in North America. The award is presented to companies that achieve world-class manufacturing status through the implementation and practice of lean manufacturing principles. Boston Centerless is the first metalworking contract manufacturer to win the Shingo Prize in North America.

"By adopting world-class manufacturing practices, and specifically focusing on lean principles, we have remained a global leader in the metalworking industry," said Boston Centerless president Michael Tamasi. "These efforts led us to healthy, positive growth in both sales and employment over the past several years. The Shingo Prize highlights the commitment and passion of our employees to continually improve our organization and serve our customers."

Over ten years ago, Boston Centerless embarked on a continuous improvement program in order to promote lean manufacturing concepts and eliminate waste throughout the organization. Teams are created to address specific objectives such as pull systems, 5-S and process simplification. The company will be presented with the Silver Northeast Shingo Prize at an awards ceremony in Boston on September 28 at the Northeast Shingo conference.

Boston Centerless, located in Woburn, Mass., is a leading supplier of AccuRod precision ground bar stock such as stainless steel and special alloys. The exceptional control and consistency in tolerance, roundness, and straightness of AccuRod material increases productivity by enhancing machinability, thus decreasing cycle times and extending tool life. The company also provides grinding services and manufactures ultra-precise gages. Industries served include medical, aerospace, automotive and defense with customers located worldwide. Boston Centerless was founded in 1958 and is privately held.