Session ID:

VS3-04

n Intermediate

The Lean Network and Honda of America Manufacturing
A Mutually Beneficial Supplier/OEM Relationship

Tom Fink, Staff Engineer and Advisor to Honda's Lean Network, tells about this unique relationship with supllilers and the benefits to both the supplier and OEM. Discover how the coordination of Lean adds up to more than the sum of it's parts.

Honda considers their suppliers as key team members. Out of this relationship comes their “Lean Network,” a group of suppliers that are stable in all areas and committed to continuous improvement. The Lean Network is facilitated by Honda and led by the supplier members. They are dedicated to competing both locally and globally through the implementation of Best Practices and Lean Manufacturing.

Honda has been a major contributor to the U.S. economy for more than 45 years. Honda opened its first U.S. plant in 1979 and has evolved into a company that directly employs more than 25,000 Americans. More than 65,000 workers are employed through Honda’s supply chain in North America.

Tom Fink, Staff Engineer

In his current position, Tom Fink is Honda’s leader for “The Lean Network,” a group of over 50 Honda tier one suppliers actively learning and implementing the tools of Lean Manufacturing.

Tom has nineteen years at Honda of America Manufacturing. Currently he is a Staff Engineer and Advisor with the North American Technical Group working in Purchasing Supplier Development. Prior to becoming a member of the Supplier Development Group, Tom was the Assistant Manager for Supplier Quality at auto plants in Marysville from 1988-1990 and East Liberty 1990-1992. He was a New Supplier Quality Startup Leader from 1992–1993 and setup the After Market Service Parts Quality activity from1993-1995. Prior to coming to Honda, Tom held a variety of quality and manufacturing positions for Goodyear, Rockwell International, United Technologies and Cummins Diesel.

Tom has a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University.