CRANFORD, NJ, May 14, 2008 -- Printing Industries Alliance (PIA), a regional affiliate of Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation, will host two upcoming workshops on the “Real World of Lean for Printers: Lean Manufacturing for Printers by Printers”, conducted by noted industry expert Ken Rizzo.

        The New Jersey workshop will be held May 28, 2008 (8:00 am-2:30 pm) at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Secaucus. The same program is scheduled for May 29 (also 8:00 am-2:30 pm) at the Holiday Inn, Batavia, New York.

        It may be hard to believe, but over 90% of the total time it takes to process an order and manufacture a printed product is non-value added. Lean focuses on identifying and eliminating all kinds of waste and non-value added activities with the goals of faster turnaround, improved financial performance and higher customer satisfaction.

        This course by the PIA/GATF Center for Lean Practices is an orientation to Lean Manufacturing and how it can be effectively used in the printing industry. Participants will benefit from many real-life examples. In addition to taking part in printing-specific Lean simulations, attendees will learn valuable management strategies for implementing Lean, how to fight sources of waste in the printer’s hidden factory, lean concepts used to decrease waste, accelerate throughput, reduce costs, and much more.

        Owners and presidents of printing companies, plant managers, operation managers and production managers will benefit from these informative sessions.  Mr. Rizzo, author of “Total Production Maintenance: A Guide to the Printing Industry”, is Director of Consulting at PIA/GATF. An industry expert of 33 years in the fields of commercial, label and folding cartons, he is a top level process improvement specialist certified in Six Sigma, ISO 9000 and Lean Manufacturing.

         To attend, contact PIA’s Amherst office at (800) 777-4742 or register online at www.PIAlliance.org. Fees are $100 for PIA members, $190 non-PIA members and include both a continental breakfast and lunch.