Lean Manufacturing Process To Be Spotlighted

Lycoming Engines announced Wednesday it will be featured on the popular show "How It's Made" for an upcoming segment on piston aircraft engines. Nearly 55 million households will get an up-close look at Lycoming when The Science Channel airs the segment Friday, January 23 at 9 pm EST.

"When we look for firms to feature on the show, we are looking for someone who will show us a full process and Lycoming agreed to those terms," said Robert Morselli, research director for the company that produces the show, Productions MAJ of Canada. "Lycoming's lean, manufacturing process helped the filming of the segment go quite smoothly, with no hurdles."

"How It's Made" spotlights manufacturing process for a variety of goods, ranging from refrigerators to microchips, in condensed, 6-7 minute segments. Past episodes have featured segments on the production of aircraft and aircraft parts. The show airs in dozens of countries and is broadcast in dozens of languages.

Ian Walsh, Lycoming's senior vice president and general manager, said the company's transformation since 2005 allowed Lycoming to showcase its facility and approve the documentary's filming.

"Our engines are always in high demand in the general aviation market because of our technology, commitment to quality and continuous improvement," Walsh said. "The transformation of our operations has given us a world-class facility to go with our premier workforce and processes. We are a natural fit for 'How It's Made' and we are proud to have taken part in it.

"After two days of filming, [show producer François Senecal-Tremblay] said that the crew has filmed more than 600 segments and singled out Lycoming's workforce as one of those with the highest sense of pride in their work that he has seen," Walsh added.

FMI: www.lycoming.com, http://science.discovery.com/