Lean Summit Africa
May 2009
News
Reflecting the growing popularity of lean thinking – the management and production system invented by Toyota and now embraced by companies like Dell Computers and Boeing – Cape Town will this year host the third annual Lean Summit Africa.
This conference, which has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2007, aims to increase the African business community’s knowledge of Lean tools, and promote the adoption of Lean as a means of improving product and service delivery while reducing costs, explains conference chair Professor Norman Faull of the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business. “Lean thinking is gaining devotees in service organisations, manufacturing businesses, logistics companies and supply chains. Its goal is described as ‘to get the right things to the right place at the right time, the first time, while minimising waste and being open to change,” he adds.
The organisers have announced that this year’s Lean Summit speaker line-up includes Lean Management founder and guru Jim Womack. Faull elaborates: “We are delighted to have secured the renowned Jim Womack as one of our presenters. He is widely recognised as an initiator of the Lean movement, having collaborated on the research that led to Lean thinking.”
Based in the United States, Womack is the founder and chairman of the Lean Enterprise Institute in Boston. This non-profit training, publishing, and research organisation was established in 1997 to advance the ideas of Lean Production and Lean Thinking.
The Lean Summit Africa takes place at Cape Town International Convention Centre on 22 and 23 September 22 – preceded on 21 September by a series of half and full-day workshops.
For more information contact Wendy Zipp, Express Communications, +27 (0)11 524 0988, communicate@icon.co.za, or Jenny, Upavon Conferences, +27(0)11 805 6616, upavon@icon.co.za
Further reading:
Engineering solutions to keep coal power plants viable in a renewables-driven grid
News
Steinmüller Africa showcased engineering solutions at Enlit Africa 2026 that let existing coal-fired power stations run efficiently at much lower loads, helping the grid absorb a growing share of variable renewable energy.
Read more...
Trafo Power Solutions returns to Electra Mining Africa
News
Trafo Power Solutions returns to Electra Mining Africa 2026 with a portfolio that has expanded well beyond dry-type transformers into fully engineered electrical power solutions for mining, industrial and infrastructure operations across Africa.
Read more...
SAIMC INSPIRE conference extends abstract submission deadline
SAIMC
SAIMC News
Following requests from our sponsors, the SAIMC INSPIRE conference has officially extended the abstract submission deadline to 28 August 2026.
Read more...
Pomini Tenova and Siemens advance roll grinder technology
Siemens South Africa
News
Pomini Tenova and Siemens strengthen their long-standing partnership to support the revamping and modernisation of roll grinders with advanced CNC and automation technology.
Read more...
Behind the scenes technologies enabling the future of mobility
News
Henkel explains how advanced adhesives, thermal interface materials and sealing technologies are enabling the next generation of electric vehicles, and what this means for South Africa’s automotive sector.
Read more...
Professor Glenda Gray inducted as Fellow of Royal Society
News
NRF board member, Professor Glenda Gray has been inducted as a Fellow of the UK’s Royal Society, the world’s oldest and one of its most prestigious academies of sciences.
Read more...
African Group Lubricants launches Mobil Give a Drop campaign
News
African Group Lubricants launches the Mobil Give a Drop campaign, a national initiative supporting community-led projects across South Africa.
Read more...
Why representation in STEM is crucial
News
Women’s underrepresentation in STEM is a business risk as much as a social one, shrinking an already pressured talent pool. Intentional mentorship and visible leadership pathways are structural necessities, not HR gestures.
Read more...
Corrosion control is the overlooked link in the global energy supply chain
News
Effective corrosion protection at every stage of the energy supply chain, from raw material fabrication to final installation, is essential to avoid costly rework and component failures on large-scale projects worldwide.
Read more...
Women shaping engineering at ABB
ABB South Africa
News
Two ABB engineers share how curiosity, mentorship and an inclusive culture have shaped their careers, and what they see as the most exciting opportunities for women in engineering across Africa.
Read more...
printer friendly version