Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Speakers have been announced for the 2015 Continuous Improvement Conference, scheduled April 12–15 in Minneapolis, MN. The annual event is focused on helping printing companies achieve operational excellence by using the concepts of Lean Manufacturing and other management and quality systems.

Paul Akers, David Mann, and John Banovetz will deliver the keynote presentations. Akers founded a woodworking tools business in his garage and used Lean thinking to grow it into an international operation, now distributing products in 40 countries. Mann’s extensive background in applying Lean concepts led him to write the award-winning book, Creating a Lean Culture. Banovetz oversees 3M’s global business in industrial tapes and has spearheaded many of the company’s quality initiatives.  

Session speakers include business and quality leaders from Appvion, Artistic Finishes, Cal Poly, Fineline Printing, Flex Craft, Image Craft, Liturgical Publications, Paris Art Labels, Quad/Graphics, Western Graphics, and Wikoff Color.

The 2015 agenda also features plant tours of Western Graphics, Japs-Olson, and Tennant Company to give attendees the opportunity to see how other firms apply continuous improvement strategies and concepts.

The conference is organized by Printing Industries of America, in partnership with Flexographic Technical Association and Specialty Graphic Imaging Association. For registration, hotel information, and more on the 2015 Continuous Improvement Conference, visit ci.printing.org.