Bill is the founder and Senior Partner for W3 Group, LLC. He was among the first 200 employees hired at Toyota’s Georgetown, KY, auto plant, where he was a group leader for 7 years. For the last 19 years, he has worked as an independent consultant, supporting companies in diverse industries making the leap to …
Beth is a Partner and Consultant for W3 Group and lead for W3 Healthcare Group, a business unit of W3 Group. Beth is an instructor at the University of Michigan and Lean Enterprise Institute (LEI) teaching Toyota Kata. Beth also presents at national conferences and acts as workshop facilitator for organizations such as AME, MEP, …
Jay VanderZwaag is a partner with the W3 Group LLC and has nearly 30 years manufacturing experience filling a variety of leadership roles and responsibilities in manufacturing management. Most recently Jay has become a Toyota Kata instructor with the University of Michigan/Center for Professional Development. Jay utilizes the Toyota Kata methodology and his vast experience …
Jeff Kane has spent 25 years designing, developing and executing lean principles on a global level. Jeff utilizes his broad knowledge base to lead other companies in their transition from traditional operating systems to World Class performance achieving significant profitability improvements. Jeff has a diverse background in business having worked as a Manager in different …
Steve Medland has spent over 20 years leading, consulting, teaching, and learning operations in both lean and supply chain related practices in industries as varied as metal fabrication and machining to grocery retail. Hi roles have included Director of Distribution Center Operations, Sales Manager, Purchasing Manager, and Inventory Analyst. In addition to his work in manufacturing, …
Trevor is an associate with the W3 Group. He is a Toyota Kata Master Coach with the University of Michigan for the Integrative Systems and Design Program in addition to working with several facilities to develop and internalize the Toyota Kata routines and behaviors. In these facilities he also works with the Advance Group teams, …
Toni Benner is an Associate with W3 Group. Toni is one of the University of Michigan Toyota Kata instructors. She is an instructor and coach with the University of Michigan Lean Healthcare program. She is a coach, speaker, instructor, change agent and patient advocate. Toni has focused the last 5 years to successfully leading, training …
Steve Sumra has over 20 years consulting and industry experience in a variety of leadership roles working throughout North America, Australia, India, the UK and South Africa. He has been involved in the manufacturing of a variety of products from tanks to submarines, ladies apparel to breakfast cereals. His consulting career has been focussed on …
Beginning in industry as a tool maker (and achieving Journeyman status) has provided a solid mechanical basis for Kirk’s progression to various Leadership positions within manufacturing roles, including Production Supervisor (4 years), Production Manager (1 year), Plant Manager (17 years), Director of Operations (2 years), and Vice President of Operations (7 years). This skilled trades …
Brian has been providing workshop facilitation, coaching, mentoring and guidance for the State of Michigan Good Government initiative, an initiative focused on identifying and implementing transformational changes within state government agencies in order to realize long-term service improvements and cost reductions. In his most recent position as Manager of Continuous Process Improvement at the Northrop …
