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Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)

Six Sigma Belt Training

With the help of: Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership (KY-MEP)

About

Bel Brands, USA, located in Leitchfield, KY joined the Bel family in 1970. Two of Bel's most popular brands are produced at this location, The Laughing Cow and Mini Babybel. The site has received multiple recognitions which include ISO14001, OHSAS 1 18001 certification, FSSC 22000, and Grayson County Plant of the Year 2016, 2017. The site has 360 employees with anticipated growth over the coming years. Bel has a passion for their employees and wants to equip them with the tools and training to ensure they are able to have a good life/ work balance. Bel invest in them as much as possible with education reimbursement and on-and off-site training and development.

The Challenge

Bel determined that in order to meet the growing demands for their products it was necessary to provide additional training on process improvement and error reduction for their employees. This training included project selection and completion using a tested and proven methodology. 
The time spent in prep & training for the Green Belt project was exceptional and very easily understood. I am very thankful for the knowledge and experience gained from doing this training. The time savings gained from our project will help us to be better prepared for the future whether it be with product recalls or yearly budget information.
— Kristy Meridith, MBY Production Coordinator

MEP's Role

After meeting with Advantage Kentucky Alliance (AKA), part of the MEP National Network™, Lean Six Sigma courses were selected and delivered. Lean Six Sigma (LSS) provides a framework for creating efficiencies throughout an organization, combining the defect prevention focus of Six Sigma with the emphasis on waste reduction and process streamlining offered by Lean thinking. This waste-reducing hierarchy typically culminates with the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification, which is geared to professionals interested in managing Black Belt-level projects and overseeing Green Belt-level projects within their organizations.

Classes for Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Black Belt were delivered at Bel Brands. During the training the participants were assigned 2 projects to be completed over the next 6 months. Progress meetings were set to follow. A further 10 Green Belt projects were identified and assigned as well.

Created June 2, 2020, Updated July 12, 2021