The training is open to all PPG customers and will take place Nov. 16–19, 2015, in Ontario, Calif. PPG says the three-and-a-half-day program is based on Lean Six Sigma and Green Belt Training principles and is designed to help collision center personnel apply proven process improvement methods and tools to their repair procedures in order to gain a competitive advantage in quality, speed and cost performance.
The training focuses on Class 6–8 trucks.
“This Lean for Commercial Green Belt Training course is specifically tailored for the commercial heavy-duty truck segment,” says John Lewis, manager of programs and services for PPG Commercial Coatings. “We pioneered this training, and it has been a genuine help to repair shops across the country. Since heavy-duty trucks produce revenue for their owners, it’s critical to have a repair process that prevents these trucks from being down one minute longer than necessary. Our program helps collision centers get those trucks on the road as quickly as possible. We’ve gotten rave reviews that our program works.”
PPG’s MVP Business Solutions team developed the Lean for Commercial program by conducting multiple pilot trials, refining the process and ensuring that the training is effective for heavy-duty truck collision centers.
According to Lewis, the challenge in the commercial truck repair industry demands that collision center operators concentrate on continuous process improvement—including the reduction of cycle-time days and the enhancement of hours-per-day performance.
“We’ll show how a well-planned reengineering of the entire traditional repair process—combined with leadership, talent and a culture dedicated to continuous measurable improvement—can make a huge difference in a shop’s success,” he says. “With the proven techniques our instructors will be presenting, program participants will be able to make significant changes in their collision center operations. The program works.”
PPG says the Lean for Commercial program is intended for those who are responsible for leading change in truck collision center organizations—owners, managers, estimators, parts personnel and lead technicians. Training together provides these individuals with the chance to form a cohesive leadership team to guide change in the repair center. PPG follows up on the training program by offering on-site White Belt Training and Rapid Improvement Workshops for shop personnel, the company says.
