Continuous Improvement

Medtronic strives for reliability and quality in all our products, which requires a world-class supply chain utilizing Lean Sigma methodologies. We align our continuous improvement strategies with our suppliers through two programs:

Supplier Development

We allocate trained Supplier Development Engineers to help strategic suppliers drive process improvements throughout the value stream they share with Medtronic. Key outcomes of this process:

• Improved quality
• Improved customer responsiveness (on-time delivery; lead time reduction)
• Cost reductions (inventory, overtime, labor and burden)
• Growth without capital expenditure

Supplier Lean Sigma Training

We also offer Lean Sigma training for select suppliers. Through this program, participants learn the methodology in a formal classroom setting, so they’re equipped to apply the knowledge to a project in their organization.

Lean and Six Sigma projects follow the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) roadmap, unifying Lean and Six Sigma toolsets to drive out waste and reduce process variation.

Lean Sigma training is another way in which we help strategic suppliers drive process improvements throughout the value stream they share with us.