CompassPlatform grew out of Gilbert Steinke's long background in manufacturing, Lean / Continuous Improvement, facilitation, organizational improvement, and practical tool-building.

Gilbert spent more than 20 years at Palliser Furniture, gaining hands-on experience across the operation from receiving through shipping. During that time, he was deeply involved in the rollout of Lean / Continuous Improvement, including major manufacturing section transformations where areas were gutted, redesigned, and re-laid out with consultant support.

Later, through FPInnovations / Forintek, Gilbert worked as an industry advisor across wood and building-product sectors, including sawmills, furniture manufacturers, windows and doors, millwork, truss manufacturers, and related organizations.

One major example was his support for Lux Windows and Doors during a significant Lean / CI transformation. Much of the operation was reorganized, except for monument machines, using Lean principles, practical tools, training, and implementation support.

Gilbert's interest in software tools also goes back many years. He first encountered programming at university when computers still used punch cards. Later, he built a GainShare system in Microsoft Access for Palliser Furniture plant employees, along with other Microsoft Office-based tools to support practical improvement work.

Over time, those experiences began to connect: operations, Lean / CI, facilitation, tool-building, programming, and now AI-supported guidance. When the President of AME asked whether Gilbert could do something with value stream mapping, that question helped lead toward Flow Analysis / Compass-VSA as the first live CompassPlatform tool.

CompassPlatform is being built from that practical foundation. Its purpose is to help organizations see the work, connect the pieces, align around their TruNorth, and improve with better guidance over time.