Advanced Performance, Inc. is a Midwest firm that specializes in training and implementation of lean manufacturing, synchronous manufacturing, cellular manufacturing, Kaizen, continuous improvement, Five S, kanban, setup reduction, quick changeover, pull systems, one piece flow, inventory reduction, performance measurements, level loading, preventative maintenance, and other manufacturing techniques and practices for small to medium businesses.

About API

Advanced Performance, Inc. was founded in 2004 by Larry Lukasik and Jim Therrien.

Based on their combined 60+ years of experience in manufacturing, sales, and leading continuous improvement processes at various organizations, they developed a unique program called Collaboration U.S.A.®

This program — which is a combination of Lean Manufacturing techniques, team building disciplines and leadership concepts — helps companies quickly transform into time-based, continuous improvement organizations.

The Collaboration U.S.A.® program has been used in a multitude of companies from metal fabrication, to molding, to printing, to food processing and information technology. From custom manufacturing to administrative processes this simple process allows individuals to quickly grasp new insights into their work and unleash their creative talents to drive out waste and improve productivity. This program is an execution tool that allows companies to achieve their goals, faster and easier than doing it themselves.

Larry Lukasik
Larry is the founder of Advanced Performance, Inc. Larry brings 35 years of manufacturing experience in the areas of materials management, logistics, customer support, information systems and financial reporting.

During his career, Larry has developed and directed successful programs for purchasing, production planning/scheduling and warehouse management in repetitive & MTO environments. He has served as the project leader for ERP systems selection and implementation in single and multi-site operations, including simplified financial reporting in a lean environment.

Prior to Advanced Performance, Larry held the positions of Materials Manager and Customer Support Manager at DovaTech, Ltd. (Division of Dover Corporation) and Vice President of Operations at Tri-State Industries, Inc.

W. James Therrien
Jim is a co-founder of Advanced Performance, Inc., an Air Force veteran and an FAA licensed commercial pilot. He spent 18 years in the aviation industry. Jim has over thirty years of sales and operations experience, with over ten years of implementing Lean Manufacturing.

Prior to Advanced Performance Inc., Jim was Vice President of Operations, Vice President New Business Development, Vice President of Sales, Director of Marketing and General Sales Manager for DovaTech, Ltd. (division of Dover Corporation).

Jim has extensive business experience in North America, Western Europe, the Far East and Australia, and is a graduate of the Center for Creative Leadership.

Advanced Performance, Inc.
3103 East Forestview Trail
Crete, Illinois 60417-1838

Phone: 708.439.9519
Fax: 708.672.9519
Email:

Did you know?

The basic principles of lean manufacturing date back to at least Benjamin Franklin. Poor Richard’s Almanac says of wasted time (a basic principle of the Theory of Constraints), “He that idly loses 5s. [shillings] worth of time, loses 5s., and might as prudently throw 5s. into the river. He that loses 5s. not only loses that sum, but all the other advantages that might be made by turning it in dealing, which, by the time a young man becomes old, amounts to a comfortable bag of money.”

About API

API principals Larry Lukasik and Jim Therrien — who combine more than 60 years of experience in manufacturing, sales and leading continuous improvement processes at various organizations — are the driving force behind the proven methods of Advanced Performance, Inc.

Did you know?