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Unveiling the Real Essence of Lean Manufacturing: Beyond Superficial Adaptations
It’s an indisputable fact that the world of business is in a perpetual state of flux, with trends, methods, and philosophies emerging at an unprecedented rate. One of these philosophies that have caught the attention of organizations worldwide is Lean Manufacturing. However, as I recently found out, some firms seem to misunderstand the core tenets…
The 8 Types of Waste in Lean
What is Lean? Lean’s origins date back to the post-WW II era in Japan. It was developed by Taiichi Ohno, a Toyota production executive, in response to a number of problems that plagued Japanese industry. In fact, what we now refer to as “Lean” is based on the Toyota Production System. The main problem facing…
Volcano Throwing Off Just-In-Time
The Associated Press reports that firms which use the Just-in-Time system are experiencing problems due to the Iceland volcanic eruption. The strategy of keeping inventories lean paid off for U.S. manufacturers during the recession. Just-in-time delivery of parts makes even more sense when budgets are tight. Now that a giant ash cloud from a volcano…
Making Small Improvements is Harder Than You Think
I heard a speaker talking one time who said, “if you improve an organization’s productivity by 3 percent each month, you will double your productivity in 25 months.” He is right, you will double your productivity, but the challenge will be keeping those gains. I worked with another Lean Six Sigma Black Belt in our…
A Flashback to the Early Days of Lean
Lean operations or lean manufacturing (often referred to simply as lean) has become a buzzword in the last 15-20 years to describe the goal of continuously improving operations, primarily by minimizing waste. But how did the movement start? Let’s delve a bit deeper into this area and take a look back at the early days…
Benefits of Lean Accounting in the Supply Chain
Lean accounting is one of the forerunners in a typically two-faced accounting technique pool. Because accrual and cash accounting can create excess inventory issues and accelerated costs of supply, lean accounting has come forth in an effort to reduce the amount of waste that older methods of accounting can create. Lean accounting allows for a…
Tips for Avoiding the Top 10 Nightmare Equipment Failures
You’re worried about costs, sales, planning, and deadlines. You don’t even think about the possibility of a major equipment failure until it happens. Just one instance of a boiler breakdown, turbine malfunction, or generator outage can cost your organization millions of dollars and lengthy downtime, to say nothing of your reputation taking a hit and…
Identifying New Ways To Be Lean
The practice of continuous improvement is a method of identifying new opportunities to be lean, to further streamline work and reduce wasted effort and materials. The practice is a formal part of Lean Six Sigma or Kaizen as taught and instituted in manufacturing and business all over the world. First of all, continuous improvement requires…
Lean Six Sigma Training Attacks the 8 Kinds of Waste
Six Sigma training was originally based on the science of quality control. What was a part of the reduction of error and defective manufacturing was adapted to a broad spectrum of business beyond manufacturing. The focus always remained the same, Six Sigma methods were designed to reduce errors and produce higher quality outcomes. Lean Six Sigma…
Focus on Continuous Improvement To Get Results
Whether problems with your business have been identified or you simply know that you can perform better, finding a way to give better service and be more efficient in how you do so is very important. But it’s also not something that can be done over night. Focusing instead on a gradual, continuous improvement makes…