Sharpening the saw: Oregon Tool’s post-2020 lean journey

Please note: The tour site will supply hearing protection, safety glasses, and steel-toed caps for those who do not have their own. No weapons or firearms are allowed.

After decades of applying lean tools and principles, Oregon Tool faced a turning point when shifts in the manufacturing environment in 2020 paused many traditional improvement activities. With limited resources, the company took a step back to rethink its approach. In doing so, they found that these savings-driven improvement activities were often an ineffective use of resources. Team members on the production floor expressed that if it were up to them, they would have done things differently. It was decided the best path forward was to take an approach that was top-down in direction, but bottom-up in execution.

By focusing on the fundamentals, they created a simple, rule-light framework that emphasized problem identification, safety and efficiency through empowering team members to take action in the spaces they worked day after day. This grassroots effort led to a renewed lean journey; one that prioritizes practical, visual and sustainable systems.

On this tour, you’ll see evidence of this transformation: clean and organized workspaces, actively used visual management tools and a growing problem-solving culture. Oregon Tool’s experience proves that even when resources are tight, lean can thrive with creativity, persistence and a people-first mindset.

Join Oregon Tool to explore how this organization is rewiring itself for long-term excellence — one step at a time.

Company

Founded in 1947 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon, Oregon Tool designs, develops, manufactures, sources and markets industry leading precision cutting tools and solutions. The company serves essential end-markets, including forestry, lawn and garden (FLAG), farm, ranch and agriculture (FRAG), concrete cutting, and finishing (CCF). https://www.oregontool.com/