From offices in Boise, Post Falls, Twin Falls, and Pocatello, TechHelp Specialists help Idaho manufacturers, food processors and entrepreneurs improve their competitiveness through continuous product and process innovation.

Lean Transformation is a continuous improvement methodology that empowers employees to create customer value and cut waste. In today’s highly competitive global market, few firms survive by wasting time, money, and resources or by having had poor customer service. The illustration below features the interrelated disciplines that combine to create a sturdy “House of Lean”. 

What Are Wastes?

  • Any non-value-added activity
  • Adds problems
  • Adds time to the process
  • Interrupts the flow of value/information
  • Should be minimized or eliminated

The 9 Wastes of Lean Include:

  • Defects – All processing required in creating a defect and the additional work required to correct it.
  • Over-production – Producing some type of work prior to it being required or more than is required.
  • Waiting – Waiting for anything (people, signatures, information, supplies, etc.).
  • Non-Value-Added Processing – Putting more work or effort into the work required by internal or external customers.
  • Transport – Excess transport affects the time of delivery of any work in the office.
  • Inventory (Time) – Excessive piles of paperwork, computer files, supplies, and time spent searching for documents.
  • Motion – Any movement of people, paper, and/or electronic exchanges that do not add value.
  • Employees’ Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – The under-utilization of people’s knowledge, skills, and abilities.
  • Energy and Environment – The unnecessary use of energy and the release of substances into the air, land, or water.

TechHelp has helped with Lean Transformations at Idaho organizations such as:

These companies win business by continually adding value to their products and services.

Contact any member of our Operational Excellence Team or complete a short form to request a free site visit & assessment of your operation.

Upcoming Workshops & Events

Manufacturing Leaders Dinner | Leveraging Operational Excellence

Idaho Manufacturing Alliance 5465 E. Terra Linda Way, Nampa, ID, United States

IMA is pleased to present a new opportunity – Manufacturing Leaders Dinners – to better connect C-Suite manufacturing representatives. Join us for the first in a series of Leaders Dinners!

Site Tour | Rocky Mountain Construction

Rocky Mountain Construction Group 11470 N. Carisa Ct., Hayden, ID, United States

Join us for this one-of-a-kind tour of family-owned and operated Rocky Mountain Construction, one of the industry’s premier roller coaster manufacturers. Starting with one small warehouse in Hayden, Idaho, they have evolved into an internationally recognized powerhouse within the amusement industry.

Site Tour | ALK Source Materials

ALK Source Materials 448 South Lochsa, Post Falls, Idaho

Site Tour | ALK Source Materials, ALK manufactures allergy products sold throughout the world. The facility in Post Falls, ID is responsible for sourcing, processing, and supplying source materials and some API materials.

Site Tour | Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories

Schweitzer Engineering 2821 Juniper Dr, Lewiston, United States

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories was founded in 1982 after Edmund O. Schweitzer, III invented the first microprocessor-based digital protective relay. The SEL-21 was the culmination of research done for Schweitzer’s doctoral thesis, and it ushered in a new era of power system protection and went on to revolutionize the electric power industry.

SEL specializes in creating digital products and systems that protect, control, and automate power systems around the world. A 100 percent employee-owned company headquartered in Pullman, Washington, SEL has manufactured products in the United States since 1984 and serves customers worldwide.

IMA Membership Meeting | Treasure Valley

Idaho Manufacturing Alliance 5465 E. Terra Linda Way, Nampa, ID, United States

Connect with us at our next IMA Membership Meeting in the Treasure Valley!

We’ll provide a continental breakfast, share what IMA is doing for the industry now, and bring you timely, relevant information that you can use in your business.

Innovation & Ingenuity @ I-90 Aerospace Corridor 2024 Conference & Expo in Coeur d’Alene

Coeur d’ Alene Resort 115 S 2nd St, Coeur d' Alene, ID, United States

This event is designed specifically for aerospace manufacturers seeking to expand their industry knowledge and build their business.
​Participants will learn about the latest industry trends, challenges, and forecasts, and network with peers, prospective customers, and vendors from the region’s aerospace supply chain. Join the event in person at the Coeur d’Alene Resort on May 28-29, 2024. Mix business with pleasure the day after the conference golfing at the scenic Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course.

2024 Idaho Small Business Contracting Symposium

Get ready to flip the script at Idaho’s biggest Reverse Vendor Trade Show! Imagine vendors shaking hands directly with contractors and subcontractors. Seasoned pros staff the booths, and vendors bounce […]

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Course – Coeur d’Alene

North Idaho College Hedlund Building Room 420 N College Dr, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Lean Six Sigma also know as Continuous Improvement Methodology integrates the advantages of Lean in process improvement with the statistical process control benefits offered by Six Sigma. It harnesses the value-added emphasis of Lean while upholding the statistical rigor inherent in Six Sigma. The series comprises four comprehensive training sessions, each spanning a full day, with a two-week interval between sessions. Participants are allotted this time to complete project work, an indispensable component of the program.

$1,500

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Course – Coeur d’Alene

North Idaho College Hedlund Building Room 420 N College Dr, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Lean Six Sigma also know as Continuous Improvement Methodology integrates the advantages of Lean in process improvement with the statistical process control benefits offered by Six Sigma. It harnesses the value-added emphasis of Lean while upholding the statistical rigor inherent in Six Sigma. The series comprises four comprehensive training sessions, each spanning a full day, with a two-week interval between sessions. Participants are allotted this time to complete project work, an indispensable component of the program.

$1,500

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Course – Coeur d’Alene

North Idaho College Hedlund Building Room 420 N College Dr, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Lean Six Sigma also know as Continuous Improvement Methodology integrates the advantages of Lean in process improvement with the statistical process control benefits offered by Six Sigma. It harnesses the value-added emphasis of Lean while upholding the statistical rigor inherent in Six Sigma. The series comprises four comprehensive training sessions, each spanning a full day, with a two-week interval between sessions. Participants are allotted this time to complete project work, an indispensable component of the program.

$1,500

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Course – Coeur d’Alene

North Idaho College Hedlund Building Room 420 N College Dr, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Lean Six Sigma also know as Continuous Improvement Methodology integrates the advantages of Lean in process improvement with the statistical process control benefits offered by Six Sigma. It harnesses the value-added emphasis of Lean while upholding the statistical rigor inherent in Six Sigma. The series comprises four comprehensive training sessions, each spanning a full day, with a two-week interval between sessions. Participants are allotted this time to complete project work, an indispensable component of the program.

$1,500

First annual Idaho Manufacturing Alliance Golf Tournament

Ridgecrest Golf Course 3730 Ridgecrest Drive, Nampa, Idaho

Join us for our first annual Idaho Manufacturing Alliance golf tournament. Come and meet and network with prominent Idaho manufacturers, partners, and members from IMA on a beautiful golf course and enjoy the networking lunch after 18 holes!