"Kirk Zylstra's focus on the customer is a fresh approach to lean. Companies that can bear the burden of variability will develop a strategic advantage in today's volatile market." -Travis Jarrell Institute of Industrial Engineers Program Committee Chair"Lean Distribution is a comprehensive yet concise work with clear leanings. Kirk's experience across a range of industries brings a unique understanding of common opportunities and solutions available to optimize distribution processes. Lean techniques, typically effective in manufacturing processes, are applied in the downstream supply chain in a practical and productive manner that will offer something to any business distributing tangible goods." -F. Jeff Duncan Jr. VP, CIO, and Director of Technology Louisiana Pacific Corp."Lean Distribution has robustly captured the revolution occurring in today's increasingly competitive and global supply chain. Eliminating losses through lean manufacturing and lean distribution initiatives will become even more critical enablers to organizations developing cost-advantaged supply chains." -Rick McDonald Director of Manufacturing The Clorox Company

KIRK D. ZYLSTRA is an independent consultant specializing in supply chain and manufacturing operations transformation. He teaches operations management and supply chain part-time at the University of Washington Business School in Seattle, Washington. He is a retired partner of a major international consulting firm, where he served major manufacturing, distribution, and retail companies during his more than twenty years with the firm. He has been a featured speaker at the Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE) and other conferences on supply chain and Lean manufacturing. For more information about Zylstra and Lean transformation, visit www.profit-chain.com.