ASMO Greenville of North Carolina, Inc. (GNC)—David Lloyd’s radio-controlled lawn mower was the winning entry by ASMO Greenville in the 7th Idea Festival held earlier this summer in Japan. The annual festival is in the spirit of kaizen, or continuous improvement. Lloyd, left, team leader for N70 Armature, came up with the idea to help people who were unable to mow their own grass and not willing to pay someone else to do it. He calls the device “The Grass Grinder.” Toshiharu Kamiya, right, ASMO-J Machinery and Tool, built the mower as well as several other devices based on ASMO associates’ ideas. “I really enjoyed the cultural experience and the time spent with other ASMO associates from around the world as well as getting to see old friends who once worked at ASMO GNC,” Lloyd said. Special thanks go to Tom Nakamura who was instrumental as the GNC idea festival coordinator.

—Jean Vanata