With the UK manufacturing base facing many challenges in the current economic downturn, now, more than ever, is the time for businesses to recognise the central role that seeking operational efficiencies can play when it comes to being better prepared for the upturn. Crucially, seeking to improve can also be a fundamental driver to deliver improved financial performance and bottom line benefit.

First Technology Safety Systems, Inc. (FTSS) uses the NVision HandHeld laser scanner to ensure the accuracy of crash dummies, which are crucial in evaluating the performance of side curtain airbags in a rollover. FTSS is the world's leading provider of crash test dummies and computer crash simulation models for automotive, military and aerospace applications.

Sports car manufacturer,Aston Martin, is using a precise real-time location system to gain complete visibility of its production processes.in its daily production operations at the company's headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, UK. The Ubisense system enhances already rigorous off-line finishing processes, through analysis and optimisation of each process, ensuring its efficiency at all times.

Siemens, a worldwide leader in power plant turbines, investigates 3D laser scanning technology to monitor the production quality of casting blades.

As economists make multiple predictions about the shape of the recession and business media begin to anticipate a coming upturn, business leaders across the UK and Europe are still focused on cutting costs to ensure they survive the recession.  It is with this in mind that Staying Lean, the new Shingo-prize winning guide offers business leaders an in-depth understanding of Lean Thinking.