A Pursuit of Continuous ImprovementEliminating WasteLean Thinking
At Hunter Trim & Cabinets, lean manufacturing isn’t just a methodology we follow—it’s the foundation of our culture and identity. Inspired by Paul Akers’ “2 Second Lean” philosophy, we’ve transformed our operations by focusing on eliminating waste and making small, daily improvements that compound over time to create extraordinary results. This commitment to lean principles has not only revolutionized our production processes but has also fostered a workplace where innovation and problem-solving are valued at every level of our organization.
Our founder, Dustin Hunter, is deeply immersed in the global lean community. His passion for continuous improvement has taken him to leading lean manufacturing facilities across the world, including benchmark tours in Japan (the birthplace of lean), Canada, and the United Kingdom. These experiences have allowed us to incorporate best practices from diverse industries and cultural perspectives into our cabinet manufacturing operations. By maintaining these international connections, we ensure our lean practices remain cutting-edge and adaptable to changing market conditions.
Creating a Lean Culture
Lean manufacturing is a systematic approach to identifying and eliminating waste in processes while continuously improving. The core principle is simple yet profound: maximize customer value while minimizing waste in all its forms. Originally developed by Toyota as the Toyota Production System (TPS) and later popularized as “lean” in the West, this methodology has evolved into a global movement that transcends industries—from manufacturing and healthcare to education and government services.
At its heart, lean is built on two foundational pillars: respect for people and continuous improvement (kaizen). It empowers every team member, regardless of position, to identify problems, implement solutions, and share their improvements with others. This democratization of improvement creates a dynamic workplace where everyone contributes to the company’s success and personal growth is inherently tied to organizational development.
Key Elements of Our Lean Culture
Daily Improvements — Every team member makes at least one small improvement each day. They record “before and after” videos to document the problem and their solution, taking full ownership of the improvement process.
Morning Meeting — All employees participate in our daily morning meeting, which covers improvements, problems, and daily goals. Leadership of this meeting rotates among all team members—from the company president to the newest shop floor employee.
Leadership Learning Club — Our leadership team meets weekly to discuss chapters from lean-focused books, ensuring continuous growth and alignment with lean principles.
Common Language — All employees learn the 5S system (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain) and the 8 Wastes (Defects, Overproduction, Waiting, Non-utilized talent, Transportation, Inventory, Motion, Excess Processing).
Experience Our Culture
Interested in seeing our lean culture in action? Click here to schedule a guided lean tour of our facility.
