High-Focused Improvements, Inc.

About HFII

The staff of High-Focused Improvements, Inc. successfully implemented Kaizen continuous improvement programs in several plants prior to forming HFII in 1994. and now offer this knowledge to you. During fifteen months at one plant, achievements included a 20% increase in plant capacity, a 50% reduction in the temporary workforce, a 50%+ reduction in lead times, and a 50%+ reduction in inventory. During a two-year period at another plant, the results were an 80% increase in plant capacity, a reduction in lead-time from 16 weeks to 30 hours, 3 years of sustained plant wide double-digit productivity improvements; inventory turns from 4 to 40, and ISO 9000 Certification, all achieved within existing plant floor space and with minimal capital expenditures.

Bill, Skip and Alan each have the distinction of serving as Adjunct Professors, and Kaizen coaches for the University of Dayton's Center for Competitive Change, Dayton, Ohio, teaching Kaizen techniques to a broad cross-section of American Industry. HFII also implements Process Improvement for the University of Dayton's, the University of Alabama Huntsville's, NC State University's, and Saint Vincent College's clients on an on-going basis. HFII has a 4 Year Relationship with North Carolina State University's Industrial Extension Service where the two groups have partnered to help North Carolina Industry remain strong and competitive by teaching Lean Enterprise concepts and Facilitating Lean Enterprise events throughout the state of North Carolina.

The list of companies that HFII has worked with reads like a Who's Who of American Industry, with several Fortune100 companies from coast to coast. HFII has also implemented Kaizen Continuous Improvement for several international operations. HFII has a broad background of many industries with widely varying processes.

Alan Lee

Alan earned a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering and an MBA degree from Auburn University. He has 10 years of manufacturing experience with Diversified Products, Murray Manufacturing, and Copeland Corporation in various manufacturing, quality, and engineering positions, as well as 10 years of lean implementation. Alan is a Certified Quality Engineer, and has experience in the Shainin D.O.E. Techniques. Alan has developed and presented training in D.O.E. and Statistical Process Control. Alan received Kaizen training from Shingijitsu's master, Chihiro Nakao. Alan has led and participated in over 600 Kaizen events at 70 different facilities to date.

Bill Pensworth

Bill earned his BS degree in Industrial Management from the University of Tennessee. He has 6 years of entrepreneurial skills coupled with 15 years of manufacturing experience with Koehring Corp., FMC Corp, and Copeland Corporation in various manufacturing and engineering management positions, as well as 12 years experience with lean implementation. Bill received his Kaizen training from Shingijitsu's masters, Chihiro Nakao and Masaaki Imai beginning in 1991 and has participated in over 800 Kaizen efforts to date at 75 different plant sites.

Skip Quinlivan

Skip attended Genessee Community College, Batavia, New York. and Orangeburg Community College, Orangeburg, South Carolina.  He has 33  years of experience as a tool and die designer and manufacturing engineer with Utica Tool, Danaher Tool Group and Copeland Corporation. Skip was first exposed to Kaizen at Utica Tool in 1982 where he participated in six Kaizens. Skip received his kaizen training under the direction of Dr. Shigeo Shingo 1982 - 1987. Skip received additional Kaizen training from Shingijitsu's masters, Chihiro Nakao,  1985 - 1992. While at Danaher and Copeland, Skip developed a corporate SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Dies) training program. He has also developed and implemented TPM (Total Preventative Maintenance) and Machine Lubrication programs at several plant sites. Skip has led efforts at 40 different Danaher plants as well as more than 150 additional facilities and has led over 1100 Kaizen efforts to date.

Gary Robertson

Gary received his B.S. from the University of Nebraska. Gary has over 30 years manufacturing experience ranging from a die maker to VP of manufacturing. Gary has been involved with training and implementing lean manufacturing techniques the past 5 years.

Shannon Quinlivan

Shannon received his degree from Wallace State College, and has worked in over 200 SMED Events. He has 10 years of manufacturing experience with  Copeland Corporation, Speedring, Lexington Furniture, Eaton Cutler Hammer In Various Manufacturing, Engineering, and Facilitation Roles. Shannon was an active Process Improvement Facilitator implementing Kaizen based improvements for Lexington Furniture Company. While at Lexington Shannon trained more then 16 Setup Reduction Specialist.  He has developed, implemented, and trained numerous Lean Facilitators. Shannon has extensive experience in Lean Manufacturing Techniques.

Last Update: 04/24/2005