The man whose name is synonymous with lean manufacturing, James Womack, will hand the reins of the Lean Enterprise Institute to John Shook in a planned succession next month.
In an announcement today, LEI said Womack will give up day-to-day management of the organization he founded in 1997 to advance lean manufacturing as well as lean principles in all types of businesses. Pending board approval at a Sept. 27 meeting, Shook will become CEO and chairman, concluding a two-year transition plan. The two men are, in effect, swapping roles, as Womack will remain on the payroll and will take Shook’s title as senior adviser.
“I have always known that no leader should stay too long,” Womack said in a statement. “I believe that now is the right time to move forward with our transition plan as LEI prepares to launch the next phase of its life.”
Womack went on to describe Shook as “the perfect combination of lean thinker and executive.”