Owner and Lead Specialist

Chris Ortiz is a Maintenance Engineering Specialist, award-winning author, speaker, and implementation expert with more than 25 years of experience helping manufacturers improve maintenance performance through engineering, leadership, Lean manufacturing, and practical execution.

His Story

Throughout his career, Chris has held engineering and operational leadership roles focused on maintenance engineering, manufacturing engineering, equipment reliability, Lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement.

Chris is the founder and former owner of Kaizen Assembly, a Lean manufacturing training and implementation company that led more than 400 major Lean implementations across North America.

He is the recipient of the 2013 Shingo Research Award, presented by the Shingo Institute in recognition of research and thought leadership that advances the understanding of operational and organizational excellence.

Chris is also the author of numerous books on manufacturing, leadership, operational excellence, and maintenance engineering, including The Maintenance Mindset coming in 2027.

Making Better Decisions: How to Avoid Common Traps, Eliminate Distractions, and Drive Impactful Outcomes.

Philosophy. Routledge/Productivity Press. Sept. 1st, 2026. Click Here

Same Problems, Same Opportunities: Why Leadership Still Matters. Productivity Press. Buy Here.

The Maintenance Mindset. An innovative and forward approach to maintenance excellence. 2027. Taylor and Francis

Meet Chris

Chris Ortiz

Making Better Decisions. Sept 1st.

Same Problems Same Opprotunities