Seven firms, R.I. Foundation give state $110K to support ‘Lean Government Initiative’

SCOT A. Jones, CEO of Groov-Pin Corp.,  said he knows firsthand how effective lean government principles are; his company contributed $10,000 to a matching-grant challenge from the Rhode Island Foundation issued earlier this year to streamline state government and eliminate waste. / PBN PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS
SCOT A. Jones, CEO of Groov-Pin Corp., said he knows firsthand how effective lean government principles are; his company contributed $10,000 to a matching-grant challenge from the Rhode Island Foundation issued earlier this year to streamline state government and eliminate waste. / PBN PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS

PROVIDENCE – Seven firms and the Rhode Island Foundation are giving the state $111,000 to streamline state government and eliminate waste.
The companies contributed a total of $61,000 in response to a matching-grant challenge the foundation issued earlier this year. The donations triggered a maximum $50,000 match from the foundation, which sought to support Gov. Gina M. Raimondo’s Lean Government Initiative.
Groov-Pin Corp. of Smithfield responded first to the foundation’s challenge with $10,000.
“I know first-hand how effective ‘Lean’ is,” said Scot Jones, CEO of Groov-Pin. “What used to take us 12 weeks to manufacture and ship to customers now takes just 20 days. Imagine the impact that applying ‘Lean’ principles to state government will have on Rhode Island’s economy.”
Amica Mutual Insurance Co. of Lincoln, Hope Global of Cumberland, Taco Inc. of Cranston, and Toray Plastics (America) Inc. of North Kingstown responded with contributions of $10,000 each. Corning Inc., of Corning, N.Y., also gave $10,000. Taylor Box Co. of Warren contributed $1,000, a foundation spokesman said.
“We are committed to helping state government work better for all Rhode Islanders. Every one of these donors deserves our thanks for investing in creating a strong economy that will enable all Rhode Islanders to prosper,” said Neil D. Steinberg, the foundation’s president and CEO.
Raimondo’s initiative will foster innovation across state government and promote a culture of continuous improvement. It is based on a proven methodology used by the manufacturing industry to eliminate waste, reduce wait and processing times, and realize greater efficiency and cost reductions.
“The Lean Government Initiative give us the resources to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of state government,” said Raimondo.

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