Learning and LEANing Through Sharing
About SoCal Lean Network
Learning and LEANing Through Sharing
SCLN is the premier organization for Lean and Lean Six Sigma resources in San Diego and Southern California.
With more than 500 industry professionals representing over 175 companies, the SCLN is the "linking" network of individuals and organizations pursuing excellence in the manufacturing, health care and service sectors. Started by Gary Gilliam of Alaris Medical in San Diego in the late 1990s as the San Diego Lean Tour Group, the group has grown from a handful of companies pursuing lean and excellence to a broad network that ranges from northern Baja California to Bakersfield, California.
The purpose of the SCLN is to help organizations learn about lean and enterprise excellence through sharing of best practices. Most of the events sponsored by the SCLN are lean sharing events with the host company opening its doors to share successes and lessons learned on their journey toward excellence. Competitors are not allowed so the environment of the learning events is very open and candid.
Lean sharing events are usually held Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday mornings for a couple of hours approximately every 6-8 weeks. Events are held at the host companies of the SCLN members throughout Southern California. Most events are limited 20-40 attendees and at times there are restrictions due to Department of Defense requirements or other parameters.
The SCLN is closely tied to the Association for Manufacturing Excellence or AME and encourages members to join AME. A growing number of SCLN member companies are joining the AME Consortium to accelerate their lean journeys. For more on the AME San Diego Consortium. The SCLN is also affiliated with UC San Diego. All of these organizations share in the philosophy of continuous improvement through sharing and learning.
Would you like to become a member of the SCLN? There is currently no fee to become a member of the SCLN. The only expectation of the SCLN members is that you participate in the network and be willing to host an event at your own company or organization at some point