Prior to my arrival at the OWAA (Outdoor Writers Association of America) meeting this past weekend in Michigan, I spent the day with “The Crew” touring the two Thetford Corporation facilities in Ann Arbor. What a place! Nadine Burns, Mary Burrows, George Grech, Doug Shirey, Kevin Phillips and the CEO Jack Tierney lead a driven, determined and award winning (Environmental Choice Award and the Design for the Environment from the EPA) team of professionals that recycle and reuse everything from cardboard to batteries.

Additionally, I was fascinated by their “Lean Manufacturing” mission and their daily goal of creating a safe, comfortable and highly proficient work environment. Fully automated and enhanced assembly stations that aid in productivity at the same time protecting their teammates, are visible throughout both plants. At lunch, Jack took me through the “chicken or the egg” type process where some products are designed from the outset with lean manufacturing in mind while others have the lean manufacturing aspects conform to them. Yin and Yang, goal and result, one becomes the other. (I think I’m on to a Buddhist Koan). To see Jack’s expression and smile as he explains the process, you know he gets it.

It’s no wonder that Thetford and Norcold have the reputation that they do. It was truly and honor to hang with “The Crew.” Though they exemplify “leanness” at every turn, there is NOTHING sparse about their passion or their pride.