Rob Ptacek

Founder Managing Director

Mr. Ptacek was the Managing Partner in Global Lean Institute, and President and CEO of Competitive Edge Training and Consulting, a firm specializing in leader and organizational development, and Lean Enterprise transformations. Mr. Ptacek holds a BS in Metallurgical Engineering from Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI (USA), and Masters of Management from Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, MI (USA).                   .

Mr. Ptacek is an adjunct instructor of Management Principles, Manufacturing Strategy, and Total Quality Management, and has instructed at Grand Valley State University, Aquinas College, and Davenport University. Mr. Ptacek has an extensive client list and has provided Lean and Leadership training and consulting in North America, Asia, and Europe.                                                                                 .                

Mr. Ptacek has authored several books and articles on principled Leadership and continuous improvement topics in various industries. He is the author and illustrator of Shop Suey comics for industry, a comic book formatted training publication, and lead author of Today’s Lean Leader, The Practical Lean Six-Sigma Pocket Guide, and several other related books. Mr. Ptacek co-developed LeanFITT™, which is ground-breaking improvement related software and apps. www.LeanFITT.com                 

Mr. Ptacek has held leadership positions in Quality, Sales, and Operations Management, and has over 30 years of practical experience implementing continuous improvements in a variety of industries. He speaks on leadership and continuous improvement topics for several industry associations including, Precision Metal Forming Association (PMA), Society of Manufacturing Engineering (SME), American Society for Quality (ASQ), American Mold Builders Association (AMBA), National Association for Job Shops and Small Manufactures (NAJS), and the Scanlon Leadership Network (SLN).

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Strengths: Lean Manufacturing Transformation, Leader and Supervisor Training, Culture and Change Management, Sales and Service Training, Executive Coaching, Quality Tools, Six Sigma, and more.​