Summary: After trained examiners and accomplished business professionals performed a thorough assessment of its facility, Merit Meidcal Systems Inc., Mexico has been awarded the internationally-recognized Shingo Prize from the Shingo Institute, a program in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business.
LOGAN, Utah – The Shingo Institute, a program in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, has awarded Merit Medical Systems Inc., Mexico (Merit) with the Shingo Prize.
“Receipt of the Shingo Prize is a worldwide recognized symbol of an organization’s successful establishment of a culture anchored on principles of enterprise excellence—principles such as respect for every individual, leading with humility, quality at the source, the quest for perfection, creating value for the customer, etc.,” said Ken Snyder, executive director at the Shingo Institute. “Ultimately, these recipients are in a class of the best organizations in the world, regardless of industry or country.”
Founded in 1987, Merit has grown to be a leading manufacturer and marketer of proprietary, disposable medical devices. The company’s initial focus of medical products used in injection and plastic insert molding eventually grew to a much broader scope, including devices used in interventional, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures particularly in cardiology, radiology, oncology, critical care, and endoscopy. Merit’s growth in sales and product lines has occurred through internal research and development projects as well as strategic acquisitions.
Merit employees are focused each day on making a difference by understanding customer needs as well as innovating and delivering a diverse range of products that improve the lives of people and communities throughout the world. With products in more than 15 clinical areas, Merit attributes the success of its products to its management team’s experience in the health care industry as well as excellence in sales, customizable products, and a dedication to offering facility-unqiue solutions in world-wide markets.
“To me [the Shingo Model™] is a life-changing opportunity to lead and coach the organization with a purpose to improve daily and provide every member of the team a voice and a personal growth,” said Carlos Santos, managing director of Latin America operations.
Scarlet Guevara, communications coordinator, said, “As a young professional, the experience of [the Shingo Model] has opened a panorama that impacts not only…my person but, I am sure…a whole generation.” She also expressed, “[The Shingo Model] provides an encouraging outlook to the industry with great value for the new generations.”
By “challenging” or applying for Shingo recognition, organizations invite a group of accomplished professionals and trained examiners to thoroughly review their culture and operations. The examiners evaluate the challengers based on a rigorous set of standards and the Shingo Institute awards the organizations according to their assessment results.
Team members from Merit will receive the Shingo Prize during the Awards Gala at the 31st Shingo Conference held the week of April 28–May 3, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. The conference is a five-day event featuring a selection of workshops, plant tours, keynote speakers, and breakout sessions designed to provide ongoing knowledge, insights, and experience for organizations in their pursuit of operational excellence.
About the Shingo Institute
The Shingo Institute is home of the Shingo Prize, an award that recognizes organizations that demonstrate an exceptional culture that fosters continuous improvement. A program in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, the Shingo Institute is named after Japanese industrial engineer and Toyota adviser, Shigeo Shingo. Dr. Shingo distinguished himself as one of the world’s thought leaders in concepts, management systems, and improvement techniques that have become known as the Toyota Production System.
Drawing from Dr. Shingo’s teachings and years of experience working with organizations worldwide, the Shingo Institute developed the Shingo Model which is the basis for its several educational offerings, including workshops, study tours, and conferences. Workshops are available in multiple languages through the Institute’s Licensed Affiliates. For more information on workshops, affiliates, or to register to attend the International Shingo Conference, please visit www.shingo.org/v1.1.
