At Global Metal Finishing, Lean manufacturing is more than a strategy—it’s the backbone of how we operate to deliver the best for our customers. When most people in our field think of Lean manufacturing, efficiency and minimizing waste come to mind. However, we’ve taken it a step further at GMF by making it a company initiative to remove any barriers for our people so they can do their jobs as effectively as possible the first time—and every other time. 

The Global Metal Finishing team believes that empowering our team members directly translates to producing the highest quality work for our customers. This “Lean and Clean” approach is a key ingredient to our success in metal finishing, both on the shop floor and in every relationship with our customers.

A “Lean” Experiment 

Traditionally, Lean manufacturing focuses on optimizing production—reducing wasted movement, streamlining workflows, and boosting efficiency. We’re certainly doing all of that at GMF, but we’ve added another layer by focusing on the people behind the process.

One of the most eye-opening experiences in understanding the importance of this approach was a Lean simulation class that our President and CEO, Tamea Franco, attended. Tamea was placed on the shop floor, observing managers running around trying to answer questions and solve issues. Meanwhile, she stayed in her area, taking care of her tasks and passing them on when complete. This exercise confirmed two things for Tamea:

1. Every individual on the shop floor plays a critical role.
2. Shop floor professionals can be much more efficient when their management team focuses on removing barriers that might interfere with their productivity.

GMF’s Solution: Empowering Our People 

At GMF, we recognize the immense value of our team members on the shop floor. That’s why it’s critical to remove roadblocks, streamline processes, and open up communication systems so they can focus on what they do best: delivering high-quality work. Here’s how we set our team of metal finishing experts up for success:

Advanced Technology on the Shop Floor

A key component of our “Lean and Clean” strategy is equipping our people with the tools they need to succeed. For instance, our team members use tablets on the shop floor. That way, they have everything they need at their fingertips: work instructions, specifications, real-time data, and more. This eliminates confusion, reduces downtime, and ensures that they can focus on the task at hand without unnecessary hurdles.

Fostering Human Connections

At GMF, the camaraderie and support we foster on the shop floor directly impact the quality of our metal finishing services. When individuals from management, admin, and production teams work side by side, solving problems and understanding each other’s challenges, we create a culture of mutual respect and collaboration.

This human-centered approach goes beyond the typical focus on process optimization that comes with adopting a Lean approach. It’s about listening to our people, addressing their concerns, and doing what it takes to ensure their success. By taking care of our people, we’re creating happier employees who take pride in what they do—and that is palpable in the exceptional results we produce for our customers. 

By clearing obstacles—such as outdated processes, miscommunication, or insufficient tools—we enable our teams to work efficiently and effectively. Lean manufacturing isn’t just about cutting costs; it’s about creating environments in which our teams can thrive. Because when they are able to do their best work, the quality of our output speaks for itself.

“Lean and Clean”: A Win for Teams and Customers 

Our “Lean and Clean” approach isn’t just about our processes—it’s about the people behind those processes. At GMF, we empower and uplift our employees by setting them up to succeed. This approach doesn’t just benefit our team; it extends to our customers as well.

Just as we take care of our employees, we also take care of our customers. When you partner with GMF, you’re covered under an umbrella of competency, reliability, and quality. When we invest in our team, everyone wins—our employees, our customers, and our business as a whole.
Partner with Global Metal Finishing today!