Itzhak Ben Levy – LEAN Expert Consultant – (איציק בן לוי)

My name is Itzik Ben Levy and I am a LEAN expert consultant in implementing LEAN Product Development (LPD). I completed my undergraduate studies in Mechanical Engineering (BSC) at the Israel Technion in 1969 and received my Masters of Science in Management, (MSM), from Boston University in 1992. I joined Israel Aerospace Industry (I.A.I.) in 1969 as a designer of aircraft hydraulic systems. In 1979 I joined Boeing Seattle and worked on designing and analyzing the hydraulic systems of the Boeing 757. When I returned to Israel in 1981, I became the head of Fuel System design of the Lavi combat aircraft.  In 1988 I took a position as a I.A.I’s corporate director for managing and monitoring strategic and R&D programs.

Since 1996 I develop, adapt and implement LEAN methodologies (using the TPS – Toyota Production System) tools through manufacturing, operation and development in various divisions in I.A.I. During this period I participated in dozens of study tours and LEAN study workshop in Europe, USA and Japan. My last position was an assistant to the Vice president of operation in charge of LEAN implementation within all I.A.I. divisions. On August 2007 I retired from I.A.I. after 38 years. Now I am a private LEAN Expert Consultant, consulting and advisory organization with implementing LEAN Product Development, (LPD). Till 2010 I have conducted more than 1000 kaizen event and workshops
My main customers are the Israeli Air Force, and the main defense industries.

my experience is implementing the following methodologies in the production, operation and especially in product development:
•    Organization change management
•    Conducting Kaizen events and workshops
•    Implementing NPI (New Product Introduction)

•    Implementing LPD (LEAN Product Development)

•    Implementing TPS tools (close to 50 tools) especially the following main tools:

o    VSM – Value stream and process mapping
o    DFMA, DFX - Design for Manufacturing and Assembly
o    QFD – Quality Function Deployment
o    Requirement Elicitation
o    DTC – Design to Cost
o    Risk Management
o    IPT – Integrated Product Team
o    Suppliers chain management and development
o    Training and mentoring  LEAN champion and facilitators

My ability is to integrate many years of experience in: engineering, product development and managing, conducting 1000 kaizen events and workshops, with most of the TPS and LPD tools. this alow me to be a unique expert of adapting and implementing the right combination of tools to the specific problem of the project manager.