WS Packaging grows its label and package printing busines through acquisition and lean manufacturing practices.

By Sue Busch

Lane acknowledges that new perspectives can meet opposition. "There is fear that outside execs will mess things up," he observes. "But lean doesn't have to be a bad four-letter word." Case in point: upon coming in to WS Packaging Group, one of converting's larger players with annual sales of nearly $500 million, Lane quickly saw a need to enhance the sophistication of the company's supply chain, and further, that a focal shift from price competitiveness to shorter runs, quicker lead times, and quicker deliveries could unlock fundamental long-term value for customers.