A few years ago, shortly after being named president of Meese Inc., a manufacturer of laundry carts and other plastic products, J. R. Ryan and his management team began applying lean-manufacturing techniques that he had implemented dozens of times at other companies as a consultant.

COMPANY MAKEOVER

As an expert in lean manufacturing—which eliminates waste from the manufacturing process and continuously improves manufacturing techniques or practices—Ryan led his team in “process mapping,” which identifies each step in every manufacturing job. The company supports approximately 180 employees at five plants in Indiana, Ohio, New Jersey, California and Florida.

“The first ...