NOVI, MI, May 22-Citation Corp., maker of cast, machined and assembled components for the automotive, heavy truck and industrial markets, has completed its first of three waves of Six Sigma green belt certifications as part of a company-wide initiative to certify 42 Six Sigma green belts at its castings facilities in 2008. The first series of certifications included employees from Citation’s Albion, IN, Novi and Grand Rapids, MI, Biscoe, NC, and Lufkin, TX, locations.

“Six Sigma certification is a valuable tool that is helping us reduce process variation and drive continuous improvement throughout our manufacturing operations,” says Citation COO Cary Wood. “With these certifications, we are planning double-digit improvements in quality indicators. Additionally, Six Sigma methods will add support to our existing lean initiatives already underway, aimed at strengthening our position as a world-class supplier.”

The certification process includes a weeklong training event that uses a standardized process to test employees in five areas of the DMAIC Process: define, measure, analyze, improve and control.

Training and project mentoring is provided by a master black belt team from GE, which was established to assist GE customers with process improvement and other value adding initiatives.

“The support we have received from GE will be instrumental in helping us reach our productivity goals for 2008,” adds Wood. “GE’s proficiency in Six Sigma methodologies has allowed us to shorten our own learning curve.”