Tour Focus: Technology Integration in Manufacturing
Host Company – A-dec website
A-dec designs and manufactures dental equipment at their headquarters in Newberg, Oregon. The A-dec vision began with a simple idea: make the best better. From their simple beginnings, A-dec has emerged as one of the most respected names in the dental industry. In 1964, founders Ken and Joan Austin made the biggest choice of their lives: risk it all to start a company of their own. Little did they know that an invention and a dream would help revolutionize the world of dentistry.
60 years later, A-dec is an employer of choice and the world’s leading manufacturer of reliable dental operatory equipment. They continue to work for the betterment of dentistry and embed their values into the work they do every day. One choice at a time.
Tour Summary:
Step inside A-dec’s Newberg facility to experience how technology and lean thinking come together to shape the future of manufacturing. Since beginning their lean journey in 1999, A-dec has continually refined its processes to build a culture of visibility, problem-solving, and sustained improvement. This tour will highlight A-dec’s latest innovations in automation and digital integration, including their new delivery robot for automated material handling of tools in the machine shop, a precision laser cutter in sheet metal, an upholstery robot, and expansive Vertical Lift Modules (VLMs) for streamlined storage and retrieval. In addition to these, as we tour the facility, participants will see how foundational lean practices such as standard work, 6S, kanban, visual management, and employee engagement systems remain central to A-dec’s success.
Who should attend? Anyone curious about how technology is being integrated with existing people and processes at A-dec, in addition to seeing other lean principles in action throughout their expansive vertically integrated factory. CI professionals, manufacturing leaders.
Date: Wednesday, Feb 11, 2026
Time: 9:30am – noon
Location: A-dec Education Center (on the A-dec campus, separate from the main entrance – details will be shared with all participants; map link)
Registration: Email jennifer@nwhpec.com, include name, email, job title for all participants. Initially limited to two attendees per company.
Cost: no cost (available to NWHPEC members only)