FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Release
New Case Study: Implementing Lean at Export Development Canada Toronto, November 23, 2012 – A new IPAC Case Study traces how Export Development Canada (EDC) successfully implemented the lean methodology of process and organizational change in a financial services sector setting. The IPAC case study recounts EDC’s Lean transformation from planning and implementation to results. The case is designed as an educational tool and training document for public sector practitioners, academic faculty, and other public sector organizations. Eric Siegel, EDC’s former CEO, launched the Lean transformation project in March 2007 to transform and modernize EDC’s operations. For Siegel, Lean represented an opportunity to “improve three things: our ability to connect with the customer, our operational efficiency, and our ability to manage people effectively. Lean was a means to tie these three things together and make everything happen.” EDC’s current CEO, Stephen Poloz, said that “integrating lean management processes into our core business streams has been an incredible learning opportunity and it is continuing to revitalize all areas of our business.” By October 2011, the lean project was successfully implemented across most of EDC’s operational value streams and showed strong results. “Since Lean, senior vice-presidents are less operational and more strategic,” noted one EDC interviewee. About IPAC IPAC is a dynamic association of public servants, academics, and others interested in public administration. Founded in 1947, it is a membership-based organization with 18 regional groups across Canada. IPAC creates effective knowledge networks, leads public administration research and is a major player in exporting successful Canadian public-sector expertise around the world. About IPAC’s Case Study Program IPAC has produced case studies for use within and across governments to share organizational learning as well as in schools teaching public administration, government and management. The Case Study Editor is Professor Andrew Graham (Andrew.Graham@queensu.ca). IPAC case studies can be accessed at http://www.ipac.ca/knowledge/CaseStudies About EDC Export Development Canada (EDC) is Canada’s export credit agency, offering innovative commercial solutions to help Canadian exporters and investors expand their international business. EDC’s knowledge and partnerships are used by more than 7,700 Canadian companies and their global customers in up to 200 markets worldwide each year. EDC is financially selfsustaining and a recognized leader in financial reporting and economic analysis. To learn more about EDC visit www.edc.ca - 30 Media Information: Wendy Feldman, Director of Research, IPAC 416-924-8787 ext. 228 wfeldman@ipac.ca