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Manufacturing Transformed: Real Shops, Real StoriesAuthor: Paul Van Metre
In the bustling world of manufacturing and machining, efficiency and precision are key. The Manufacturing Transformed podcast is your peek into how companies benefit from being #PoweredByProShop. Language: en-us Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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51: Turning Legacy Processes into Lean Systems: The Lafarge & Egge Transformation Story
Episode 51
Tuesday, 17 March, 2026
In this episode of Manufacturing Transformed, I sit down with Bryan from Lafarge & Egge to talk about what real operational transformation looks like inside a highly specialized aerospace manufacturer. When Bryan joined the company, he stepped into a shop full of deep experience and craftsmanship—but also a lot of legacy processes. Critical information lived across spreadsheets, Access databases, and paper-based work instructions. Drawings, inspection records, and job tracking were spread across multiple systems, making it difficult to see what was really happening across the business. Instead of jumping straight into new machines or automation, Bryan and his team made a strategic decision: fix the systems first. We talk through how Lafarge & Egge digitized their workflows, consolidated multiple tools into a single platform, and built a stronger operational foundation across two facilities. The impact has been significant—from faster quoting and contract review to better visibility on the shop floor and a much smoother audit process in a highly regulated aerospace environment. Bryan also shares lessons learned along the way, including how they capture tribal knowledge, manage complex quality requirements, and think about lean systems in a high-mix manufacturing environment. If you're interested in how manufacturers can modernize legacy processes while preserving the expertise that built the business, this conversation offers a practical and honest look at what that transformation actually takes. Topics Discussed Bryan's path from aerospace supply chain into manufacturing leadership What Lafarge & Egge manufactures and their specialization in high-pressure tube assemblies The operational challenges Bryan saw when he first joined the company The limitations of paper-based workflows and disconnected systems Why the team prioritized digitizing processes before investing in new equipment Replacing spreadsheets, databases, and manual workflows with a unified system Cutting contract review timelines from weeks to days Improving traceability, inspections, and audit readiness in aerospace manufacturing Coordinating operations across two facilities on a shared system How better visibility into data helps support growth and smarter decision-making Bryan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bryanluttrell Lafarge & Egge: https://lafargeandegge.com/ Email: Info@lafargeandegge.com
