Persistent disruptions in supply continuity, supplier quality, and cost signal that traditional supply chain management is no longer enough. Lean Focus’s Supply Chain Practice replaces reactive management with disciplined execution—building resilience, reliability, and cost control through the practical application of proven Lean principles.
Lean Focus applies a focused set of Lean principles to redesign supply chain performance.
Rather than relying on forecasts, excess inventory, and functional silos, Lean thinking reshapes how materials and information flow across the enterprise—eliminating waste, creating flow, and building the management systems required for resilient, reliable results. Within the Supply Chain Practice, three principles form the foundation for transformation: Value Stream Thinking, Pull Systems, and Customer Value.
Principle 1: Value Stream Thinking aligns the entire supply chain as one integrated system—not a collection of disconnected functions.
By viewing material and information flow end to end, organizations surface the hidden waste created by handoffs, delays, and siloed priorities. Teams shift from optimizing local metrics to improving total performance—driving meaningful reductions in lead time, cost, and operational friction.
Principle 2: Pull Systems synchronize supply with actual demand—rather than relying on forecast-driven push.
Forecast-driven, push-based supply chains introduce inventory, obsolescence, and cash constraints while still struggling to meet real customer needs. Pull Systems invert this model. Production and procurement are triggered by actual demand signals, not speculative forecasts. Materials flow only when needed, in the quantities needed, stabilizing supply while shortening lead times and reducing inventory exposure. The result is a supply chain that is responsive by design—efficient, predictable, and resilient to demand variability.
Principle 3: Customer Value aligns supply chain decisions to what actually matters to customers—not internal efficiency metrics.
By prioritizing service reliability, quality, lead time, and total cost as experienced externally, organizations make better trade-offs and focus improvement where it counts. The result is higher service levels delivered with less complexity and lower total cost.
The Lean Focus Business System™ (LBS™) turns supply chain principles into execution.
Within the Supply Chain Practice, Value Stream Thinking, Pull Systems, and Customer Value are operationalized through the proven tools and disciplines embedded in the Lean Focus Business System™. Applied side-by-side with seasoned, senior-level practitioners, LBS™ enables organizations to redesign flow, synchronize supply to demand, and improve service, cost, and resilience—creating repeatable supply chain performance across industries and geographies.
Today’s supply chain challenges require a fundamentally different operating model.
Persistent issues in service, quality, cost, and reliability are rarely solved through incremental fixes or better forecasting alone. Lean Focus addresses these challenges at their root through the disciplined application of the Lean Focus Business System™ (LBS™)—building supply chains designed for resilience and performance. A conversation with our senior-level LBS™ practitioners is a working session, not a pitch. We’ll show how proven methods—rather than workforce reductions—improve lead time, supplier performance, cost, supply stability, and customer satisfaction in your specific operating environment.
Industry Experience of Our Supply Chain Practice
OIL & ENERGY
MACHINE TOOLS
MEDICAL DEVICES
BUILDING MATERIALS
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE
INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY
AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS
TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT
GENOMICS & PRECISION MEDICINE
HOME GOODS & FURNISHINGS
SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT
THIRD-PARTY LOGISTICS
AUTOMATION EQUIPMENT
LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS
TEST & MEASUREMENT
MATERIAL HANDLING
HVAC SYSTEMS
& MORE
Organizations We’ve Helped To Strengthen Supply Chains
Our Supply Chain Practice Regional Leaders
ROBERT GRUMSKI
Lean Focus North America
+1 (630) 800-8519
[email protected]
About Robert
With over 25 years of experience, Robert has consistently excelled as a Global Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, and Supply Chain Senior Executive. His extensive expertise lies in designing and implementing center-led procurement organizations within matrix structures. Robert has a proven track record of success in leading both direct and indirect commodity management teams, establishing low-cost country offices, and integrating E-Sourcing tools into multinational lean manufacturing environments. Recognized as a high-energy, results-oriented leader, he possesses a collaborative management style and a keen ability to build consensus.
Robert has spearheaded transformative initiatives within procurement, strategic sourcing, and supply chain functions at notable organizations such as Envista (a Danaher spin-off), Pall Corporation (a Danaher company), Gardner Denver Nash, Siemens Water Technology, Bucyrus, and Cincinnati Milacron. These efforts have resulted in significant cost reductions, improved cash flow, and reduced overall supply chain risk. His career highlights also include business unit management with P&L responsibility, as well as experience in market/product development and sales management.
Robert holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from the University of Cincinnati, as well as a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Operations from Auburn University’s Harbert School of Business.
MANUEL JANS, PHD.
Lean Focus Europe
+49 173 2505762
[email protected]
About Manuel
Manuel has over 20 years of experience in Human Resource Management and Organizational Development. He has initially provided support for lean business transformations at all levels as a HR Consultant and later by leading customer-focused Talent and HR organizations in multi-national companies (up to $2.2B and 40+ locations). His assignments include various Talent leader roles at Danaher´s Water Quality Business and Head of HR positions in Pharma and Biotech. As an entrepreneur he has (co-)founded start-up businesses and professional networks. He is passionate about applying lean and agile thinking to build, improve and sustain impactful HR and talent practices, placing and developing key talent to drive the transformation journey, and building a lean leadership culture at all levels of the organization. Manuel holds a MBA (Diplom-Kaufmann) and Ph.D. in Business Administration (HR focus) from Essen University.
MICHAEL REINHOLT ANDERSEN
Lean Focus Nordic
+45 4030 3080
[email protected]
About Michael
Michael is the CEO of Lean Focus Nordic, bringing over 25 years of leadership experience. His career includes ~18 years at Danaher Corporation, where he held multiple executive roles, including General Manager/Managing Director Dentistry and Biotech businesses, as well as several VP Operations & Supply Chain and VP of Lean Business Transformation. In his role as Danaher Corporate Director, he was responsible for Danaher Business System implementation in EU. Most recently, he led Operations & Supply Chain of a $1B acute care diagnostics business, transforming it into one of Danaher’s most Lean-mature organizations.
An expert in driving transformational change, Michael specializes in implementing Lean practices and applying Lean business systems in large-scale organizations to enhance quality, delivery, innovation speed, and cost efficiency. He has successfully led cross-functional Lean transformations across diverse industries, cultivating high-performing, problem-solving cultures on a global scale.
Michael is renowned for driving radical business transformations and delivering impactful results. He excels in building enduring cultures of Continuous Improvement, anchored in collaboration, empowerment, and mutual respect.
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Supply Chain Practice Case Study
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1. Challenge
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2. Opportunity
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Supply Chain Practice Client Testimonials
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Lean Focus North America
P: +1 (630) 800-8519
E: [email protected]
Lean Focus Europe
P: +49 173 2505762
E: [email protected]
Lean Focus Nordic
P: +45 4030 3080
E: [email protected]
International Phone Number: +1 (630) 800-8519
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