Leading the Lean Enterprise Transformation (PDF)

George Koenigsaecker is a principal investor in several Lean enterprises. He is a board member of the Shingo Prize (the international award for "Lean enterprises"), the Association of Manufacturing Excellence, the ThedaCare Center for Healthcare Value, Baird Capital Partners, Gefinor Venture Partners, Simpler Consulting, and Watlow Electric Corporation.

From 1992 until 1999, Koenigsaecker led the Lean conversion of the HON Company, a $1.5-billion office furniture manufacturer. During this period, his efforts led to a tripling of volume and culminated in HON Industries being named by IndustryWeek magazine as one of the "Worlds Best Managed Companies."

Prior to this time, Koenigsaecker was with the Danaher Corporation, where he was president of the Jacobs Vehicle Equipment Company (whose Lean conversion is featured in the book Lean Thinking by Jim Womack and Dan Jones) and group president of the Tool Group, then the largest business unit of Danaher. In addition to leading the Lean conversion of these operations, Koenigsaecker developed and implemented the Danaher Business System, a comprehensive Lean enterprise model.

In addition, Koenigsaecker has held senior management positions in finance, marketing, and operations with Rockwell International and Deere & Company. He is a graduate of the Harvard Business School.

George Koenigsaecker was inducted into IndustryWeek's 2010 Manufacturing Hall of Fame for his years of experience leading successful Lean management transformations across a multitude of organizations.