Santa’s STANDARD WORKshop Blends Lean Learning, Collaboration, and Holiday Giving Across the Lehigh Valley — Employees from four regional manufacturers assemble 40 bicycles for Community Bike Works during MRC’s annual training event.
Published Thursday, December 11, 2025
by Patricia Felise
The Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC) proudly hosted another successful year of Santa’s STANDARD WORKshop, a unique blend of hands-on Lean Manufacturing training and meaningful community impact.
Held December 9–10 at MRC’s Upper Macungie Township training facility, this year’s workshop brought together 16 employees from four Lehigh Valley manufacturers — Just Born Quality Confections, Lutron Electronics, Northeast Products & Services, and Ocean Spray Cranberries — who worked side by side to assemble 40 bicycles for youth served by Community Bike Works.
The Spirit of the Lehigh Valley
Reflecting on the event’s momentum and meaning, MRC President & CEO Rich Hobbs shared:
Rich Hobbs
“This event reflects the best of the Lehigh Valley’s manufacturing community — companies learning together, improving together, and supporting the next generation. Santa’s STANDARD WORKshop has become a tradition that showcases not only skill development but the generosity and teamwork that define our region.”
A Hands-On Lean Learning Experience
Across two days, participants learned core Lean principles including takt time, standardized work, flow optimization, quality at the source, and waste reduction.
The training culminated in a fast-paced, seven-station bicycle assembly line where employees applied what they learned in a real-time, team-based environment. This year’s group completed all 40 bicycles in just 32 minutes — a full ten minutes faster than last year’s pace — demonstrating their ability to incorporate improvement and efficiency into the process.
MRC Lean Coach Amrish Thaker guided the exercise, reinforcing the importance of communication, cross-training, and problem-solving as key elements of continuous improvement.
A Tradition of Learning, Giving, and Regional Collaboration
MRC Vice President Gene Kaschak, who leads the event each year, emphasized how the workshop blends both skill development and impact:
“This is an opportunity for the local manufacturing community to get together and learn about process improvements — and to give back to a great organization like Community Bike Works.”
This year also included an expanded element: MI Windows and Doors hosted its own on-site Santa’s Workshop in Hegins, assembling bikes for children as part of a private Lean learning experience — demonstrating the program’s growing reach.
A Growing Regional Tradition
Santa’s STANDARD WORKshop has become a growing regional tradition that brings manufacturers together not just to learn, but to make a difference.
Every bicycle assembled supports Community Bike Works’ “Earn a Bike” program, which provides young people with hands-on lessons in bike mechanics, safe riding, teamwork, problem-solving, and perseverance. Students who complete the program earn their bicycle and a helmet.
James Williams, Director of Programs at Community Bike Works, shared: “Community Bike Works is grateful for the enormous contribution of bikes from Manufacturers Resource Center. I’m inspired by the teamwork displayed during the workshop and the efficiency these folks learned.”
Looking Ahead
As interest continues to grow — including expanded participation from companies such as MI Windows and Doors, which hosted its own on-site Santa’s Workshop — MRC is excited to carry this tradition forward.
Santa’s STANDARD WORKshop continues to strengthen:
-
Manufacturing skills and continuous improvement practices
-
Team collaboration across companies
-
Regional community connections
-
Awareness of promising manufacturing career pathways
With each passing year, the workshop highlights the power of learning with purpose — and the extraordinary impact the manufacturing community can make when it comes together.