The program focuses on energy efficiency, productivity improvement, and fostering human-centered corporate cultures. Honorary associate professors Attila Gurabi and Norbert Mátrai present lean methodologies that help businesses thrive.
EDC Debrecen’s City and Economic Development Center strives to support the growth of local businesses in various ways. One of these efforts includes organizing free training programs for local SME owners and managers, involving external experts, to shift mindsets. The first training session of the “B2030 – Efficient Enterprises” program was held last week in the Lean Laboratory at the Faculty of Engineering. We spoke with Gergely Fekszi, Senior Business Development Expert at EDC, about the event.
Why was the Faculty of Engineering chosen as the first stop in this training series?
In fall 2022, we began collaborating with the Kaizen Institute Hungary and the Leannovation Association to create a multi-session training program. The goal is to introduce local SME leaders to the principles of Kaizen and lean management.
The second season of the program kicked off on September 26 in the Lean Laboratory at the Faculty of Engineering, which had already proven its value in the first season. The university’s experienced faculty members, who are also seasoned consultants at the Kaizen Institute Hungary, along with the lab’s advanced setup, offered participants hands-on experience with lean principles. More importantly, attendees witnessed the immense potential of these methods in action. I believe both seasons were highly successful: the efficiency-boosting solutions showcased during these sessions have sparked significant interest in future program events.
How would you describe the relationship between the Faculty of Engineering, EDC Debrecen, and local businesses?
EDC Debrecen’s mission is to support the professional growth of local businesses, while the Faculty of Engineering focuses on preparing skilled professionals for the region’s expanding economy. This includes training well-qualified engineers who can design, operate, and improve industrial processes, while efficiently managing tasks and projects.
The Faculty has built strong professional connections with several local companies, and EDC Debrecen fully supports these initiatives. Through this program, we aim to share the university’s knowledge and make it more accessible to local SMEs.
We also want to emphasize to businesses that the training programs at the Faculty of Engineering are highly practical and offer valuable solutions for both large and small companies. Participants can benefit from expert advice, whether they are future engineers, new to the field, or seasoned professionals. In addition to adopting new technological solutions, mastering modern, widely used management methods is crucial for improving business efficiency and success. The sessions held in the Lean Laboratory clearly demonstrate this.
What feedback have you received about the program?
Feedback from the first season was overwhelmingly positive, prompting us to relaunch the program. This time, all sessions are held on-site at various companies, with the initial session serving as a foundation, conducted in simulated conditions at the Lean Laboratory. Participants particularly appreciated the practical, easily applicable ideas they received, which they can implement in their own businesses.
What are the next steps for the program?
By the end of November, participants are scheduled to attend three more sessions. They will visit two locally owned SMEs and a multinational corporation, where they will observe proven efficiency-boosting solutions in real production environments, each focusing on different aspects of lean philosophy in practice. The Faculty's experts will also provide on-site assistance.
Cs.K.