Cary (Parrot) Ripsch, Value Stream Manager, The Ovid Bell Press (The OBP), is the 2015 recipient of Printing Industries of America's Managing for Improvement Award. The award is bestowed each year on a manager in the printing industry who has demonstrated the ability to create real and lasting improvement for his or her company.
Ripsch was selected by the judges from numerous nominations received nationwide. The nomination credited him as being instrumental in developing a Lean culture at The OBP and leading the organization to higher levels of performance in sales, safety, customer satisfaction, and operations.
Over a career of 45 years, he honed his management skills in such positions as finishing supervisor, customer service/quality manager, process manager, and plant manager at The OBP. In 2002 he earned the status of a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt. This rich and varied background of experience made him a valuable and seasoned asset to The OBP management team. Under his direction the organization has focused on a set of key metrics, implemented 5S throughout the plant, organized production processes into an efficient flow, and applied visual management techniques. He has successfully engaged employees in the continuous improvement efforts, with morale reportedly at an all-time high.
"[The Ovid Bell Press] is enjoying its most successful period in the history of the company and much of its success is attributable to Parrot and continuous improvement," his nominator said. "Parrot is clearly one of the most innovative, positive, and dedicated managers that I have had the pleasure to work with in my career."
Ripsch will receive his award at the 2015 Continuous Improvement Conference, April 12–15 in Minneapolis, MN.
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