Georgia Tech-Savannah will host two informational sessions about layout methodology -- one for factories and one for distribution centers -- lead by renowned facilities layout educator and practitioner Lee Hales, a senior lecturer at Georgia Tech’s Supply Chain & Logistics Institute. The two separate sessions, to be held in the morning and afternoon of October 20, 2016, will take place on the Georgia Tech-Savannah campus at 210 Technology Circle.

“Leading-edge supply chain and logistics practices are paramount in Georgia’s coastal region, home to the fourth largest seaport in the nation,” said Hales. “Local businesses must continually evaluate and refine their strategies and procedures, and one way to maximize success is by examining layout methodologies.”

In each session, Hales will lead an interactive discussion on systematic layout planning, which eliminates and avoids waste from the poor layout of activities and equipment. SLP, a standard practice used in leading multinational firms and an essential step in lean and world-class manufacturing programs, is the fastest way to assure focused factories and value stream layouts; minimum material handling effort; flexibility and adaptability; and better utilization of people, equipment and floor space.

The first session will be held from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on factory layout methodology; interested attendees can RSVP by sending an email to Ben Cheeks at [email protected]. The second session, to be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m., will focus on warehouse and distribution center layout methodology; please RSVP to Tim Brown at [email protected].

In addition to his role with Georgia Tech, Hales is president of Richard Muther & Associates and the author and co-author of several books on industrial planning, including Systematic Planning of Industrial Facilities and Computer-Aided Facilities Planning. As a materials and distribution manager, he has planned, set up and managed a network of distribution facilities in the oil field equipment industry and also managed purchasing, transportation, and information systems.