2025 Idaho Rural Success Summit
Coeur d’ Alene Resort 115 S 2nd St, Coeur d' Alene, ID, United StatesThe summit highlights successful rural development through lightning talks, panels, keynotes, networking, and a resource fair.
Lean Transformation
Lean Transformation is a continuous improvement methodology that empowers employees to create customer value and cut waste. In today’s highly competitive global market, few firms survive by wasting time, money, and resources or by having had poor customer service. The illustration below features the interrelated disciplines that combine to create a sturdy “House of Lean”.
What Are Wastes?
- Any non-value-added activity
- Adds problems
- Adds time to the process
- Interrupts the flow of value/information
- Should be minimized or eliminated
The 9 Wastes of Lean Include:
- Defects – All processing required in creating a defect and the additional work required to correct it.
- Over-production – Producing some type of work prior to it being required or more than is required.
- Waiting – Waiting for anything (people, signatures, information, supplies, etc.).
- Non-Value-Added Processing – Putting more work or effort into the work required by internal or external customers.
- Transport – Excess transport affects the time of delivery of any work in the office.
- Inventory (Time) – Excessive piles of paperwork, computer files, supplies, and time spent searching for documents.
- Motion – Any movement of people, paper, and/or electronic exchanges that do not add value.
- Employees’ Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – The under-utilization of people’s knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- Energy and Environment – The unnecessary use of energy and the release of substances into the air, land, or water.
TechHelp has helped with Lean Transformations at Idaho organizations such as:
- Idaho Department of Transportation
- QTI Sensing Solutions
- Diversified Metal Products
- Litehouse Foods
- Great American Appetizers
- Woodgrain Millwork
- Quest Aircraft
- FAMCO
- Idaho Wrecker Sales
- Packaging Specialities Inc
These companies win business by continually adding value to their products and services.
Contact any member of our Operational Excellence Team or complete a short form to request a free site visit & assessment of your operation.
Upcoming Workshops & Events
15 events found.
IMA Site Tour | JST Manufacturing | Meridian
JS ManufacturingFor the past 40 years, JST has been designing and building innovative and efficient wet benches and semiconductor processing equipment for cleanroom applications.
Idaho Apex Accelerator – Idaho Small Business Contracting Symposium
Boise State Student Union 1700 W University Dr, BoiseJoin Idaho’s largest reverse vendor tradeshow! Connect with buyers, grow your network, and access key business resources at the Idaho Small Business Contracting Symposium.
I-90 Aerospace Corridor Conference
Coeur d’ Alene Resort 115 S 2nd St, Coeur d' Alene, ID, United StatesSave the date- the I90 Corridor conference is happening May 27-28. Sign up now to attend or exhibit. Sponsorship opportunities are also available!
IMA Site Tour | ALK Source Materials | Post Falls
ALK Source Materials 448 South Lochsa, Post Falls, IdahoALK (Allergy Labs of Kopenhagen) headquartered in Denmark, manufactures allergy products sold throughout the world. The facility in Post Falls, ID is responsible for sourcing, processing, and supplying source materials and some API materials to all ALK sites.
IMA Site Tour | Aviation Specialties Unlimited | Boise
Aviation Specialties Unlimited 4632 West Aeronca St., Boise, United StatesCurious to learn more about a local pioneer in aviation safety? We are! Aviation Specialties Unlimited is the recognized leader in life-saving Night Vision Solutions for the past 30 years. Founded in Boise by former AH-64 Apache Pilot, Mike Atwood in 1995. Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) tactical night vision and aviation systems and services have helped save lives by helping reduce unnecessary risks and accidents. ASU pilots employ night vision in non-military operations across the United States, including law enforcement aviation operations for rotor-wing and fixed wing aircraft.Due to the small size of this tour, please ONLY ONE representative per company.
FSPCA Preventive Controls for Animal Food Course
Tri City Development Council 7130 West Grandridge Boulevard #Ste A Kennewick, WA 99336Join Impact Washington for a comprehensive 2-day Preventive Controls for Animal Food workshop. This workshop will take place on June 12th and 13th, 8 AM to 5 PM, providing essential knowledge and training for Preventive Controls Qualified Individuals (PCQI).
$850
IMA Site Tour – Idaho Correctional Industries – Kuna
Idaho Correctional IndustriesA few areas of focused hands-on production/manufacturing training: Carpentry, Cabinetry, Drafting, Graphics (Print, Sign & Decal), License Plates Manufacturing, Metal Fabrication, Production Office, and Upholstery. ICI trains using real world applications and implementation of office, home and industrial work as well as many of the less tangible but very important relationship skills necessary to navigate today’s job market.
Toyota Kata Introduction – Coeur d’Alene
North Idaho College Hedlund Building Room 420 N College Dr, Coeur d'Alene, IdahoToyota Kata is a structured, scientific approach to continuous improvement, problem-solving. It helps organizations develop a culture of experimentation, learning, and adaptability—essential skills for today’s fast-changing business environment. This course includes two half-day training sessions designed for leaders who want to apply Kata thinking to drive performance, improve processes, and develop problem-solving skills at every level of their organization.
$300
2nd Annual Idaho Manufacturing Golf Tournament SAVE THE DATE
In Person Venue To Be DeterminedIdaho Manufacturing Golf Tournament
IMA Site Tour – Gayle Manufacturing Company (GMC) and R&B Protective Coatings Inc
Gayle Manufacturing CompanyThese 2 facilities have the latest state of the art automated structural steel fabrication, paint processing, handling, and machining equipment.
Lean Six Sigma White Belt Course – Coeur d’Alene
North Idaho College Hedlund Building Room 420 N College Dr, Coeur d'Alene, IdahoThe Lean Six Sigma White Belt (LSSWB) is a 1-day introductory course that provides a basic understanding of Lean and Six Sigma principles. It equips participants with the knowledge to support projects, understand the terminology and concepts used in Lean Six Sigma initiatives, and serves as a foundation for pursuing further training towards a Yellow Belt, which allows for more advanced roles in Lean Six Sigma projects.
$300
Field to Fork Festival 2025 – Celebrate Idaho Food & Drink with FARE
University of Idaho Sandpoint Organic Agriculture Center 10881 N Boyer Rd, Sandpoint, ID, United StatesJoin FARE on Thursday, August 7 for the FARE Idaho Field to Fork Festival, Sandpoint, a full day dedicated to celebrating and strengthening North Idaho’s local food economy. Hosted by FARE Idaho, this gathering brings together farmers, ranchers, food producers, retailers, chefs, and community members to connect, collaborate, and explore how we can build a more resilient regional food system—together. The daytime festival is free and open to the public, with special access for buyers beginning at noon.
Free
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) IHA Certified – Online or In-Person
Live Online +1 moreOur class is accredited by the International HACCP Alliance and meets the requirements of NCIMS, FSIS, and GFSI (e.g. SQF, BRC, FSSC22000, etc.) certification requirements. In class, you will understand the 5 pre-steps and 7 principles in creating a facility-wide food safety plan. You will get templates and example food safety plans to build or revitalize your current HACCP plan. The curriculum is designed with practical advice from industry experts. If you haven’t taken a HACCP class in a while, it is a good idea to have a refresher course. If you are new to HACCP or food safety plans, this class will give you the basics you need to know to get started. This class does require a project to fulfill the course requirements. This class fulfills the training requirements for SQF, BRC, or other GFSI-approved certifications.
$600
Implementing Safe Quality Foods (SQF) Systems
Live OnlineThe first step in achieving and maintaining SQF Certification is to understand the SQF Food Safety Code for Manufacturing. This class is designed to fulfill the training requirements to prepare individuals to take the SQF Practitioner test. All SQF-certified sites must have at least two SQF Practitioners overseeing the SQF Food Safety System. However, industry best practice is to have several Practitioners to ensure management commitment and coverage of the entire SQF System. This hands-on workshop uses the official SQF training material but adds real-life practical advice to fulfill the requirements of the code. Students will get a manual with the slides, a practice test, and an attendance certificate with the SQF Institute logo, our logo, and license number. This course is recommended for sites seeking certification, maintaining certification, or anyone interested in learning more about the SQF program and certification. To attend the training students must have had previous HACCP training approved by International HACCP Alliance or equivalent.
$600
