Thomas Group Announces New Initiative to Eliminate Inefficiencies in Aerospace and Defense Companies

Thomas Group, Inc. (NasdaqGM:TGIS), a global operations management consulting firm, introduced the firm�s PI Max� assessment tool to the Aviation Electronics Association meeting in Dallas today as an alternative to slashing headcount and spending. �Layoff is not synonymous with efficiency,� said Mark Ozenick, the firm�s practice leader for the aerospace and defense segment. �It�s not too soon to start thinking about coming out of the recession leaner, stronger and structured to win more market share and earn better profit margins. But slashing in a panic is not the way to do that.�

�Now may be the best of all times to implement meaningful change,� Ozenick argued. �It is in the middle of crisis that barriers can be eliminated more easily. When the alternative is adapt or go onto the shop floor and hand out pink slips, managers will come around to new ways of thinking. That�s why the consultant�s role is highly relevant now, and why we recommend to clients as a first step applying a maturity model to determine the extent to which Lean and Six Sigma processes are truly embraced across the company.� He noted that Thomas Group�s proprietary PI Max assessment tool consists of 25 maturity elements to identify key improvement levers.

Many companies have extensive Six Sigma organizations, but are using the wrong metrics to measure success, he said. �In our experience, the sheer number of black belts directed at a problem is not an indicator of success. Often the wrong tools are employed in the improvement process, and sometimes the right tools fail when applied only to a single functional silo within a complex organization. Indeed, 42 percent of business leaders in the U.S. and Europe have said that their change management programs in the past five years have failed.�

As an example of Thomas Group�s success in implementing a more holistic assessment, and identifying the right levers for improvement, the company cited the firm�s assistance to one of the world�s largest and most complex organizations�the U.S. Department of Defense and specifically, the U.S. Navy.

DoD is effective, but not always efficient. When Thomas Group began working with the DoD, many silos existed. Thomas Group showed them how to align around critical processes that produce readiness�the key yardstick for the Navy. The next step was in helping the Navy integrate these processes into corporate-like enterprise governance structures that owned all the costs associated with producing readiness. As with a lot of clients, Thomas Group didn�t work with the Navy to teach them Six Sigma principles. Instead, in working with the DoD, Thomas Group conducted analyses of process effectiveness and of the change management tools in use. Thomas Group�s contribution was to help the Navy select the correct management tools, install the best governance methodology and use the right process metrics to drive change.

The company further noted that over a five year period, aviation readiness improved markedly, ship maintenance costs decreased and the Navy as a whole obtained a financial improvement equivalent to the purchase price of a new aircraft carrier.

�The consultant�s role in driving corporate change is more critical in challenging economic conditions,� Ozenick said. �Growth hides a multitude of sins. Inefficiencies and unnecessary turf battles become much more glaring in a period of contraction. That�s why our message to corporate leaders is simple�seize this opportunity to make your organizations leaner and stronger (as opposed to thinner and weaker), and prepare for the opportunities to come,� Ozenick added.

For more information visit: http://www.thomasgroup.com/enterprise-solutions/tools/Continuous-Process-Improvement.aspx

About Thomas Group

Thomas Group, Inc. (NasdaqGM:TGIS) is an international, publicly-traded professional services firm specializing in operational improvements. Thomas Group's unique brand of process improvement and performance management services enable businesses to enhance operations, improve productivity and quality, reduce costs, generate cash and drive higher profitability. Known for Breakthrough Process Performance, Thomas Group creates and implements customized improvement strategies for sustained performance improvements in all facets of the business enterprise. Thomas Group has offices in Dallas and Detroit. For more information, please visit www.thomasgroup.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act:

Any statements in this release that are not strictly historical statements, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are �forward-looking statements� within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements, including general economic and business conditions that may impact clients and the Company�s revenues, timing and awarding of customer contracts, revenue recognition, competition and cost factors as well as other factors detailed from time to time in the Company�s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company�s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. These forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as �anticipate,� �expect,� �suggests,� �plan,� �believe,� �intend,� �estimates,� �targets,� �projects,� �could,� �should,� �may,� �would,� �continue,� �forecast,� and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. Except as required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in the Company�s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Thomas Grp., Inc. (MM) (NASDAQ:TGIS)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2024 to Jun 2024