California-based medical device company Cardiva Medical has been recognized for operational excellence by The Shingo Institute, an award given to companies that show a commitment to operational excellence at all levels of the organization.

The Shingo Institute, based out of the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, is named after Shigeo Shingo, considered a pioneer in Lean Six Sigma principles among other areas of quality improvement and operational excellence.

The Shingo Prize and Shingo Medallions are given each year at the Shingo Conference, which is scheduled for April 28 through May 3, 2019, in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Cardiva Medical won the operational excellence Bronze Medallion for its manufacturing facility in Guaymas, Mexico. The company specializes in developing and producing vascular closure devices that improve patient outcomes after diagnostic and interventional endovascular procedures.

Justin Ballotta, Cardiva’s chief operating officer, said in a press release that “implementing the Shingo principles has helped us create a culture committed to growth, continuous improvement and Lean processes.”

Success at Cardiva Medical

The success at Cardiva Medical demonstrates the value of Lean principles, strategies, tools and techniques. In winning the Bronze Medallion, the company underwent a thorough organizational analysis and assessment by members of The Shingo Institute.

Ballotta said the company has stayed committed to Shingo principles by consistently focusing on creating value for customers by striving to deliver innovative and high-quality vascular closure devices.

The Mexico plant, built in 2014, was designed with these principles in mind. Cardiva built the plant in response to a growing sales volume. Shingo principles were built into the design of both the plant and in the hiring of staff.

Since opening, the plant has grown the number of employees by 700%. The plant already handles production of two of the company’s vascular closure devices and will soon add a third.

Driven by use of Shingo principles, the Mexico facility has supported a three-year growth rate of 183% at California-based Cardiva Medical. Inc. magazine recently put the company on its list of the fastest growing private companies in the United States.

Shingo Principles

In announcing the award, Shingo Institute Executive Director Ken Snyder said it signifies “an organization’s mastery of fundamental tools and techniques for improving an organization’s operations.”

Shingo prizes and medallions go to organizations that have demonstrated a culture that fosters continuous improvement. Awards fall into three categories:

  • The Shingo Prize for having reached the pinnacle of operational excellence
  • The Silver Medallion for organizations that have matured in their implementation of Shingo methods
  • The Bronze Medallion for those in the earlier stages of cultural transformation

Past winners of Shingo awards include the Letterkenny Army Depot in Pennsylvania, AbbVie Ballytivnan in Ireland, Ball Beverage Packaging in Russia, NewsUK in the United Kingdom and Barnes Aerospace Ogden in Utah.

The Shingo Institute carries on the work started by Shingo, an industrial engineer and advisor to Toyota. Based on his teachings, the institute developed the Shingo Model, which provides the basis for determining Shingo prizes and medallions. Companies submit an application and go through a rigorous assessment process to earn an operational excellence prize. It’s considered one of the most prestigious awards available for operational excellence.

There are 10 guiding principles for the Shingo Model:

  • Respect Every Individual
  • Lead with Humility
  • Seek Perfection
  • Embrace Scientific Thinking
  • Focus on Process
  • Assure Quality at the Source
  • Flow & Pull Value
  • Think Systemically
  • Create Constancy of Purpose
  • Create Value for the Customer

The Shingo Institute also offers workshops, study tours and conferences for organizations interested in applying its techniques. Rather than creating a new Lean tool, the model attempts to draw together the various tools available and help companies create a sustainable culture of continuous improvement.