The discussion also explored the cultural and leadership aspects of Lean transformation, with participants agreeing that successful change must begin at the top. One of the most powerful takeaways from the session came from Michael McKinney, who reminded the group that leaders must first be willing to change themselves before expecting change from others. This message resonated strongly with attendees and aligned with the broader goals of the GEMX LEAN on ME initiative—to create a trusted environment where companies can learn from each other’s experiences, successes, and challenges. Building on the momentum of the first session, the group is now looking ahead to the second event in the series, which will focus on Daily Management Systems and will be hosted by DuPont, continuing the collaborative journey toward stronger Lean cultures across the region’s advanced manufacturing and engineering sector.
The launch of GEMX LEAN on ME, a new industry initiative designed to strengthen collaboration and knowledge sharing across the northwest manufacturing sector, took place this week with its inaugural session hosted by Inishowen Engineering. The programme is built around the idea of companies learning directly from one another by exchanging best practices, experiences, and lessons from their own Lean journeys. The opening session, titled “The Challenges of a LEAN Journey”, brought together representatives from five leading regional manufacturers—Inishowen Engineering, McColgan’s, DuPont, Seating Matters, and Seagate Technology—who participated in open discussions about the realities, opportunities, and cultural shifts involved in implementing Lean practices. Participants highlighted the value of gaining insight from peers, noting that a “different pair of eyes” can often uncover new perspectives on challenges and growth opportunities.
A key highlight of the session was hearing the story behind the continued success of Inishowen Engineering, which has become a standout example of a northwest company evolving and innovating to meet the changing demands of global customers. During the discussion, Michael McKinney shared insights from the company’s journey, emphasising that businesses must consistently offer something “different” if they want to remain competitive in modern manufacturing markets. Sustainability also emerged as a defining theme of the company’s operations. Advanced monitoring systems measure air quality on the factory floor every three seconds, allowing immediate responses to maintain a safe and efficient environment, while all water used within the facility comes from recycled rainwater. These initiatives demonstrate how operational excellence, environmental responsibility, and Lean thinking can work together to drive both efficiency and long-term resilience.
