At the recent 2nd AMD Lean Conference, AMD Suzhou plant was credited with the annual "Advance Award for Achievements in Lean". Mr. Tan Chow Khong, Managing Director of AMD Suzhou, took over the trophy from the previous winner, Mr. Mohd Sohi, GM of AMD Penang plant, and Mr. Derk Meyer, Chief Operation Officer of AMD headquarters.

AMD Suzhou plant, AMD Semiconductor Technology (China) Co., Ltd., was set up in SIP in 2004 and started lean production project in 2006. In the same year, the plant organized the first lean production line and applied single-piece working procedure that greatly shortened the production cycle. After subsequent readjustments of production lines, most the products have been turned out from the lean production line. In 2007, further reforms were introduced in material planning and production mode, accompanied by training and cultural promotion campaigns with outstanding results.

Senior managers from AMD HQ have made frequent inspection to the plant and given technical instructions, and made high appraisal of the achievements of the plant. Mr. Roger Pineiro, Vice-president of AMD operation, commented: "The concept of lean production is to employ 70% of the lean culture and 30% of lean tools, and our team in Suzhou has effected a fundamental cultural transformation by transplanting the idea of sustained reform on the DNA. That's why we have decided to award Suzhou plant the grand prix in lean."