The Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence
The Shingo Prize is named in honor of the late Dr. Shigeo Shingo. Dr. Shingo has been described as an "engineering genius" for his contributions to improving manufacturing processes. As one of the world's leading experts on manufacturing practices, he helped to create and document the renowned Toyota Production System. Many of his improvement principles, such as Single-Minute-Exchange-of-Die (Quick Changeover), Poka-Yoke (Mistake Proofing) and Non-Stock Production (minimum inventory) are described in six books published in the United States.
In 1988, Utah State University recognized Dr. Shingo for his lifetime of accomplishments and created the Shingo Prize to recognize world-class, Lean organizations. The Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence recognizes business excellence around the globe. The philosophy of the Shingo Prize is that world-class performance for quality, cost and delivery can be achieved through Lean principles and techniques in core manufacturing and business processes. Business Week, May 15, 2000, stated that the Shingo Prize is, "…the Nobel prize of manufacturing…."
The Shingo Prize evaluation criteria is based on an overall Lean business systems model. Masaaki Imai, Chair, Kaizen Institute, has noted that the Shingo Prize is the only award program in the world focused on Lean Manufacturing and the elimination of "muda." The model demands system integration based on proven lean manufacturing and business practices. The Shingo criteria focus on Customer Satisfaction and Profitability; Quality, Cost and Delivery; Lean Core Operations; and Leadership and Empowerment Enablers.
The Shingo Prize Model & Application
Guidelines
A Board of Examiners consisting of over 175 Lean leaders throughout North America, representing primarily former Shingo Prize recipient companies, carry out the rigorous process of evaluating the Achievement Report and the 2-3 day company Site Evaluation Visit.
Administration of the Shingo Prize
& the Application Process
The Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence is administered
in the Northeastern region of the United States by GBMP, Inc and
its Northeastern States Shingo Prize Ambassadors.
GBMP's staff includes five Shingo Board examiners and two Vice Chairs. GBMP and its partners coordinate an annual Shingo Prize Conference Northeast Region each October to recognize the Prize and Medallion recipients.
The Shingo Prize Award
Criteria
The Shingo Prize evaluation criteria are based on an overall
Lean business systems model. Masaaki Imai, Chair, Kaizen Institute,
noted that the Shingo Prize is the only award program in the world
focused on Lean Manufacturing and the elimination of "muda" or
waste. The model demands system integration based on proven
manufacturing and business practices. The Shingo criteria focus on
Customer Satisfaction and Profitability; Quality, Cost and
Delivery; Core Operations; and Leadership and Empowerment
Enablers.
Regional examiners, trained by representatives from the North American Shingo Prize, will carry out the rigorous process of evaluating the Achievement Reports and the two to three-day company Site Evaluation Visit.
The Shingo Prize is awarded at three levels: the Bronze Medallion, The Silver Medallion, and The Shingo Prize. Each level showcases an increased achievement of Lean implementation. If a facility meets or exceeds the standard, they will be recognized for the Shingo Prize at the level in which they qualify.
Application Process
1. Download
The Shingo Prize Model & Application
Guidelines
2. Complete and submit the
application form and
expected measures worksheet
3. Prepare and submit the achievement report
Achievement Reports will be accepted at anytime throughout the year. Achievement Reports not received in time to process before the Annual Shingo Prize International Conference and Awards Ceremony (usually held in April or May) will be recognized first at the Shingo Prize Northeast Region Conference in October and then again at the following Annual Shingo Prize International Conference and Awards Ceremony.
Companies from the Northeast Region recognized in April or May at the International Conference are encouraged to also attend the Northeast Region Conference and Awards Ceremony to share their achievement with others manufacturers in the region.
The application fees for the Shingo Prize are as follows:
Large Company: Defined as having
greater than 500 employees: $5000*
Medium Company: Defined as having
between 250 and 500 employees: $3500*
Small Company: Defined as having less
than 250 employees: $1500*
Site Evaluation Visit fees are as follows:
Large Company: Defined as having
greater than 500 employees: $6000*
Medium Company: Defined as having
between 250 and 500 employees: $4000*
Small Company: Defined as having less
than 250 employees: $2000*
Examiner travel expenses are not included in the site
evaluation fee and shall be paid for by the finalist.
