“We want to develop our front-line leaders

but need training brought on-site that fits

our schedule, it can’t be the first week or

last week of the month, and no Mondays

or Fridays. Sound good?”
 

This is a familiar refrain from

manufacturers across Minnesota.

The message is clear: manufacturers

recognize the importance of

strengthening their leads and supervisors,

but they need flexible, relevant, and

impactful training to do it.
 

Why the urgency? Companies want

to reduce turnover, increase employee

engagement, and meet operational

goals. And they’re realizing that frontline

leadership is key to making that happen.

Generic leadership training often falls

flat in manufacturing environments.

Supervisors and leads are busy,

pragmatic, and focused on results. They

want training that speaks their language

and addresses the real challenges they

face on the shop floor. That’s where

manufacturing-specific programs,

particularly those that integrate LEAN

principles with leadership development,

make a measurable difference.
 

Take, for example, a Minnesota-based

manufacturer producing printed circuit

boards and cable assemblies for the

medical device and aerospace sectors.

Their top technical performers were

promoted into leadership roles, but

without training on how to lead people.

The result? Higher turnover and a

frustrated frontline.
 

By making a strategic investment in

customized supervisor training focused

on both leadership and practical

LEAN tools, the company saw a 50%

improvement in retention over 12 months.

With less turnover and more effective

leadership, senior management saw a

clear return on investment, and frontline

supervisors finally felt equipped and

supported.
 

What made the difference? A thoughtful

approach. Strong programs build in pretraining

preparation, including involvement

from managers, so learners have

reinforcement and accountability. For

instance, some providers offer Manager

Training Guides to help supervisors

understand how to support their team

members’ growth, before, during, and

after training.
 

Companies like Manufacturers

Alliance have developed proven

frameworks for delivering LEAN and

leadership training tailored to the needs of

manufacturers. They’ve helped hundreds

of companies across the state strengthen

their teams and drive better results, often

with the help of available training grants.

If you’re looking to build a stronger

frontline, now is the time to invest in

training that sticks. Leadership and LEAN

go hand-in-hand, and with the right

approach, your shop floor can become

your greatest source of stability and

success.
 

To learn more about customized training

and how to get started, visit www.mfrall.

com/custom.