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Fargo, N.D. (May 21, 2010) – Over the last sixteen weeks, fifteen employees of Spectrum Aeromed have participated in Lean Manufacturing training provided by The Dakota Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Dakota MEP). Lean Manufacturing is based on the Toyota Production System with its primary focus on lowering costs while improving quality, safety and lead times. Lean Production means doing more with less – less time, less space, less human effort, less machinery, less material – while giving customers what they want. Lean Manufacturing Training is a structured curriculum involving the many components of the Lean Production System.

The Dakota MEP Lean Manufacturing program involved 10 full days of classroom training, integrated real-world, shop-floor learning opportunities and the understanding of the related texts and workbooks. At the close of the training program, participants completed the Lean Certification Exam administered through the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). The exam is designed to assess the participant’s body of knowledge across 12 key areas and is 172 questions in length with a three hour time limit. Passing the Lean Certification Exam is the first step toward realizing Bronze Lean Certification through SME.

“Being able to work with the professionals at Dakota MEP and to provide such an excellent training opportunity for our employees, right here in Fargo-Moorhead, is really exciting. This training is a continued commitment to investing in our most important asset, our employees” said Bob Daily, VP of Production for Spectrum Aeromed.

ABOUT SPECTRUM AEROMED Founded in 1991 and acquired by Dean Atchison in 2007, Spectrum Aeromed is a leading global designer and manufacturer of customized air medical and air ambulance equipment for fixed and rotor wing aircraft. Its modular, dependable and custom-built air medical equipment is used by all segments of the aviation industry including: charter services, private/VIP operators and royal families of state, emergency medical services (EMS) and search and rescue (SAR) operations, large and small hospitals, corporations and global military and government entities. The company is uniquely qualified for specialized life support solutions, including air, ground or marine support applications. Spectrum Aeromed holds more than 50 Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) covering 260-plus models of aircraft. Headquartered in Fargo, N.D., Spectrum Aeromed has a staff of 21 and a 15,000 square foot state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. For more information, visit www.spectrum-aeromed.com.

ABOUT DAKOTA MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP Dakota MEP is a leadership organization that provides value to those companies dedicated to creating new opportunities for their people and organization. They strive to maximize enterprise performance - including growth, innovation, productivity and profitability. Working with partners who share this mission - they specialize in helping companies develop best practices and supporting strategies which enable them to better compete today and tomorrow. For more information, visit www.dakotamep.com.