Baxter facility awarded Shingo Prize for operational excellence

Baxter International has seen its facility in Cartago, Costa Rica awarded with the 2008 Shingo Prize for excellence in manufacturing.

The plant, which produces a range of products including IV administration sets, was recognised for its achievements in driving improvements in productivity, manufacturing cycle time and customer lead-time.

Baxter facilities have received the prize previously with plants in North Carolina and Mexico honoured in 2007, however this is the first time the Shingo prize has been awarded outside North America.

Employees at Baxter’s Cartago unit have developed a lean enterprise through the company’s leadership process that goes beyond manufacturing operations to boost integration through the plant’s value stream.

Chester Zelaya, plant manager of the facility, highlighted that a “disciplined approach” had enabled improvements in product quality and delivery as well as reducing the manufacturing cycle time.

“Our employees are relentless in their commitment to creating a culture that meets the highest standards of quality and efficiency and this award is a direct result of their hard work,” he confirmed.

The Shingo Prize, administered by the College of Business at Utah State University, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

Last month, Baxter Healthcare and Nycomed signed an agreement that gave Baxter exclusive rights to market and distribute Nycomed’s TachoSil patch in the US.