In this special 65th-anniversary edition blog, we’re taking a closer look at systems, like LEAN procedures, that keep West End Rad running smoothly.
Over the last 10 years, we’ve gradually been working to implement LEAN procedures in our shop. Along the way, many current and former team members played a key role in shaping how these practices took hold and evolved over time.
In this post, we’ll walk through the LEAN initiatives we’ve implemented and the impact they’ve had on our day-to-day operations.
This Post Covers:
- What Are LEAN Procedures?
- How West End Rad Started Implementing LEAN Procedures
- Why West End Rad Started Implementing LEAN Procedures
- The 8 Wastes of LEAN
- How West End Rad Eliminated Transportation and Motion Waste
What Are LEAN Procedures?
LEAN procedures are a structured way for shops to eliminate waste. Essentially, they are a way for us to continually keep getting better at the work we do every day.
In our shop, that means looking at our processes and finding anything that slows us down and fixing it before it becomes a bigger problem.
As a result, LEAN helps us:
- Cut unnecessary costs
- Reduce mistakes and safety risks on the floor
- Keep jobs moving without delays
Ultimately, it’s about making our workflow cleaner, safer and more efficient so our team can do quality work the first time. And, customers (like you!) get their equipment back faster.
How West End Rad Started Implementing LEAN Procedures
In January of 2025, our company joined Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), a national association dedicated to the manufacturing sectors in Canada.
Through those meetings, companies exchanged ideas on how they can better serve their customers across Canada.
As a result, one of the key ideas West End Rad adopted from these meetings was the implementation of LEAN procedures.
Why West End Rad Started Implementing LEAN Procedures
As our company continued to grow and expand to three locations across Western Canada, it became increasingly important to bring more structure and consistency to how our shop operates.
With more people, equipment and jobs moving through the shop each day, even small inefficiencies could quickly add up without a clear system in place.
LEAN procedures provided a practical framework to help us manage that complexity while supporting long-term efficiency.
One of the key concepts we adopted through LEAN was the focus on the eight wastes of LEAN.
The 8 Wastes of LEAN
The eight wastes of LEAN are principles that help companies identify places where they can become more efficient and cost effective.
Luckily, there’s a handy acronym, “TIM WOODS” that helps everyone remember the principles!
The acronym stands for:
T – Transportation
I – Inventory
M – Motion
W – Waiting
O – Overproduction
O – Overprocessing
D – Defects
S – Skills
When our team began evaluating where the most waste existed in our day-to-day operations, one issue stood out immediately: excessive walking throughout the shop.
Once we identified this, it became clear that transportation and motion waste were our biggest culprits.
How West End Rad Eliminated Transportation and Motion Waste
To address transportation and motion waste, our team started by designing and installing clear floor markings throughout the shop.
Because these markings guide both workers and visitors throughout the shop, they create a more organized and predictable environment.
Specifically, the floor markings clearly define:
- Where machines are located
- Designated forklift routes
- Work-in-progress areas
By visually mapping out the shop, everyone can quickly understand how work should move from one stage to the next.
Overall, we have reduced unnecessary walking and equipment movement, improved safety and made it so daily tasks can be completed more efficiently.
As we mark 65 years in business, LEAN procedures have been the most recent step in continuously improving how we serve our customers. Because when our shop runs better, your equipment gets back to work faster!
