MIT professor to keynote NEPCON/Assembly East.

Professor Deborah Nightingale, PhD., of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, Cambridge, MA) Lean Aerospace Initiative (LAI, http://lean.mit.edu) will present a keynote presentation, "Transforming the Lean Enterprise Value Stream," on May 6, as part of NEPCON East/Electro and Assembly East. The co-located manufacturing shows will take place May 5-6 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, MA.

In her address, Professor Nightingale will share the successes that the MIT LAI has experienced with its implementations of lean ideas. The presentation will focus on the need for contemporary networked enterprises transforming the entire value stream, including suppliers and partners. Dr. Nightingale will explain how applying lean principles to all life cycle, enabling and leadership processes will be required to achieve value for the total enterprise.

Nightingale is a professor of practice in the department of aeronautics and astronautics and the Engineering Systems Division. She serves as the MIT lead on the Lean Enterprise research and product development team within the LAI. Prior to joining MIT in 1977, she worked for AlliedSignal Aerospace for 17 years, serving in executive leadership positions across the entire enterprises.

The conference program at the colocated shows will begin on May 4. The shows will provide Northeast manufacturers with manufacturing solutions at the board, component and final product assembly levels. In addition, attendees can see more new products with the concurrent running of the Vision East Show, featuring automated machine vision solutions.