Session ID:

VS1-07

u Advanced

Luke Faulstick, President, Global Operations & Jerry Wright, VP, Lean Enterprise Excellence

Lean for Mergers and Acquisitions
Learn how to leverage lean to exceed synergy expectations

Luke Faulstick and Jerry Wright will discuss the advantage that Lean provides in today’s mergers and acquisitions. DJO has successfully completed eight major integrations since 2001. Using Lean, DJO has been able to surpass synergy expectations post-acquisition/post merger by removing most of the hidden waste inherit to most traditional organizations today. In addition to financial benefits, Lean tools and philosophy help to extend the company culture into the combined organization through line-of-sight management (hoshin kanri/policy deploymen) techniques. Luke and Jerry will cover the key actions that should be completed in any merger or acquisition and shared lessons learned.

DJO is a global company specializing in musculoskeletal health. Its broad range of over 700 product families include orthopedic bracing products, devices to stimulate bone healing and the prevention of deep vein thrombosis. The company is based in Vista, California, but has manufacturing and distribution sites throughout the world

Jerry Wright, VP, Lean Enterprise Excellence

Jerry Wright joined DJO in 1997 and has held leadership positions in engineering, operations and quality assurance. Jerry is currently the Vice President of Lean and Enterprise Excellence based at the company’s headquarters in Vista, California. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Arizona State University, a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix and has his Professional Engineer license from the State of California. At DJO, he was one of the key change leaders that helped to introduce Lean thinking and transformed the company from a traditional batch and queue manufacturer to a world-class, Lean enterprise. 

In 2005, DJO’s Vista operation was honored as one of the IndustryWeek Top Ten Best Plants in North America. DJO Vista was a 2006 Shingo Prize Recipient for Excellence in Manufacturing.

Luke Faulstick, President

Luke T. Faulstick, President, Global Operations, DJO. Luke served as the Chief Operating Officer of DJO from May 2004 until December 2007, and started his career with DJO in 2001 as the Vice President of Manufacturing. He has developed a reputation as a leader in implementing operations and business teams, demand-based one-piece flow systems, and in converting businesses and operations from underperforming organizations to world class lean enterprises. Luke has over 22 years of operational and business experience in the Medical, Electronic and Photographic Industries.

Luke began his career in 1985 working for Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, New York, where he spent time in on-site Engineering, Marketing, and Product Research and Development. Luke holds 8 U.S. patents for his work in Product R&D. Prior to graduating from college, Luke served at a college co-op for 9 months with the US Army Natick R&D labs, developing food systems and food packaging.

Mr. Faulstick holds an MS in Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology and BS in Engineering from Michigan State University.

Luke is involved in the Children’s Circle of Care program which supports the needs of chronically ill children who do not have the financial capability to pay for the care they need to get well. In addition, he supports Boys and Girls Clubs in the San Diego area. Luke is currently serving as the Vice Chairman of the Association of Manufacturing Excellence (AME) which is a non-profit organization focused on helping companies achieve world class business performance using Lean and Six Sigma approaches.

Luke is married and has 3 children, ages 10 - 16.