The Seven Kata Receives International Recognition

The Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence, part of the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, has selected "The Seven Kata: Toyota Kata, TWI, and Lean Training" by Conrad Soltero and Patrice Boutier as a recipient of the Shingo Research and Professional Publication Award. Soltero and Boutier are both consultants with the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center, hosted by The Univerisity of Texas at Arlington and El Paso as partner institutions.

"Receipt of the Shingo Research and Professional Publication Award signifies authors' significant contribution to the body of knowledge surrounding operational excellence," said Robert Miller, executive director of The Shingo Prize. "The intent is to motivate others to learn from them."

In "The Seven Kata," Soltero and Boutier supply time-tested tools and counsel with the goal of empowering readers to transform their organization's culture into one of operational excellence. Their intent is to bridge the gaps between many of the seemingly disjointed improvement practices and tools that organizations employ in their attempt to create more efficiency. By following the roadmap presented in the book, the authors claim that organizations will gain a competitive advantage in their respective industries.

By "challenging" or applying for an award, authors invite a group of accomplished professionals and trained examiners from The Shingo Prize to thoroughly review their publications. The examiners select the publications they think are worthy of recognition.

"The idea of using fairly simple tools on a regular basis to establish a culture of continuous improvement is very impactful," said the team of examiners that reviewed the publication. "The book adds value by providing methods for practitioners to engrain this concept without disrupting the work flow."

Soltero and Boutier will receive the award during the opening social of the 25th Annual Shingo Prize International Conference held in Provo, Utah, the week of May 6-10, 2013. The opening social is the beginning of this four-day event featuring a selection of workshops, plant tours, keynote speakers and breakout sessions designed to provide ongoing knowledge, insights and experience for organizations in their pursuit of operational excellence.

About The Shingo Prize
The Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence is named after Japanese industrial engineer, Shigeo Shingo. Dr. Shingo distinguished himself as one of the world's thought leaders in concepts, management systems and improvement techniques that have become known as the Toyota Business System. Drawing from Dr. Shingo's teachings, The Shingo Prize helps companies and organizations increase their efficiency and effectiveness by developing cultures that better tap the talents of their employees. It also awards and recognizes organizations that demonstrate exceptional results from applying its philosophy and recognizes authors who have contributed important insights and applications of the principles it teaches. Those interested in more information about The Shingo Prize or in registering to attend the 25th Annual International Conference may visit http://www.shingoprize.org.

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