Cecil E. Bradshaw, CPIM, Principal

Cecil, with 35 years of industry experience, is a recognized leader in providing innovative and effective consulting, education, and implementation initiatives. He assists clients with the evaluation, implementation and operation of Lean processes, including cost/benefit analysis, project planning and the development of in-house quality systems and people systems. With over 25 years of implementing Lean systems, he has developed a process that enables companies to not only understand Lean concepts, but to successfully implement them immediately. In this process he provides the education, leads the team through the design and the actual implementation. These implementations are driven by the top business issue the company is experiencing. Subsequently the results have been dramatic reductions in lead times and inventories, improved operational performance and the incorporation of total quality management principles. These all add up to solving the key business issue the company may be experiencing but it also shows up on the bottom line very quickly!

Cecil began his professional consulting career 20 years ago as a principal of the Oliver Wight Companies. During that time, he provided the necessary leadership and guidance that enabled numerous companies to achieve “Class A” certification, a distinction coveted by many companies. It was 15 years ago that he formed Impact Management, with the emphasis on implementing lean principles. During the past few years, Cecil has utilized his leadership expertise with Sage Performance Counseling, and Supply Chain Edge. He is also one of the co-founders of the Business Improvement Group and is Executive Vice President and Business Development Officer. Cecil is a co-developer and presenter of the Quick Response Manufacturing series.

Previous experience includes twenty-four years in the manufacturing industry, holding senior management positions in Purchasing, Materials, Manufacturing, and Manufacturing Systems. During his 21 years at Steelcase, Inc., Cecil played major roles in their MRPII and Lean initiatives. He was the catalyst for them to embrace and implement Lean manufacturing principles and was a member of the team to design and build the Computer Furniture Plant.

Cecil, as a member of the American Production and Inventory Control Society, obtained his professional certification (CPIM) and held offices at the local and regional levels; President, Secretary and Education Director. He taught business courses for 17 years at Grand Valley State University , Grand Rapids Community College and Asheville Buncombe Technical Institute.