Remodeling more than 6,000 square-feet of space to accommodate the facility, GrafTech's Learning Center features the most advanced classroom concepts and latest in electronic tools. The Center is also equipped for remote conferencing capabilities that will enable GrafTech to have interactive meetings and seminars with its 11 manufacturing sites and approximately 2,200 employees on four continents.  Seating is arranged in an unique star design allowing for dynamic learning and break-out areas for smaller group sessions.  It also includes a 4,000 square-foot atrium with catering capabilities for hosting customers and employees.

Lean Principles are part of GrafTech's commitment to continuous improvement.  Lean Principles identify wastes, defined as costs that have no direct customer value, and continuously remove them from the system. Though rooted in manufacturing, Lean Principles are also applied to internal processes. As part of the Lean strategy, the company has conducted a high number of transactional Kaizens, that have driven significant improvement in Financial, Legal, Human Resource, and IT functions.  The effort continues with increased intensity and each Kaizen consists of cross-functional teams that include operations employees as well as line, staff and business executives. "The end results will ultimately greatly benefit all our refractory customers around the world, " says Peter Sylvén, Marketing Director, UCAR® Refractory Systems. "By using Lean, we are creating more value for our customers."