Depot recognized for operational excellence

Letterkenny Army Depot (LEAD), the first Army depot to win the prestigious Shingo medallion in 2005, has earned its 10th Shingo medallion for operational excellence with its Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target (PATRIOT) launcher new build program.

"This is a great achievement for Letterkenny as it is also the first time that an Army depot built a new PATRIOT air and missile defense system major end item," Col. Deacon Maddox, Depot Commander, said. He credited LEAD's lean culture for providing the natural transition for the workforce as it began to stand up the new build program using lean tools, systems and principles.

The PATRIOT launcher new build program began in 2009 with private industry managing the majority of the supply logistics, while LEAD provided highly skilled artisans with over 20 years of PATRIOT experience and infrastructure to integrate, test, paint, package, and ship missile launchers.

Letterkenny Army Depot continues to make strides along the path that has led to its renowned reputation as a lean and efficient industrial operation with an unwavering customer focus.

By the use of lean tools, systems, and principles, as well as an empowered workforce, the PATRIOT launcher new build team exceeded the customer requirements and completed additional program workload with existing space and the same number of employees while maintaining a 100 percent on-time delivery record.

Letterkenny's efforts continue to evolve as the launcher new build program is executed, benefitting from experience and lessons learned. The operational excellence demonstrated by the PATRIOT launcher new build team continues to ensure future workload growth at Letterkenny Army Depot.