Movement Toward Lean Manufacturing
Brief Summary:
Many companies are moving toward lean manufacturing without the proper information, which in turn are not noticing expected results. The most important tool is a floor system that supplies crucial information. Companies should explore alternatives to continue to make advancements in the direction of a lean system.
- Lean manufacturing is more than a buzzword. It is key to improving a company's floor performance, customer responsiveness, and, ultimately, its bottom line. Yet few manufacturers truly understand what it takes to implement the concept.
- Today many managers talk about implementing lean manufacturing with too little knowledge about the overall concept and goal. In trying to implement the process, many U.S. manufacturers have been disappointed by inadequate results, while others have found the process too disruptive. Still others believe they are adhering to the principles of lean manufacturing but lack the control to improve the process and therefore may actually be costing themselves more money in the long run.
- One of the most common misconceptions is that lean manufacturing requires a kanban system. Lean manufacturing is a way of making products, whereas kanban is an information system that uses visual aids to control production quantities. There is more to lean manufacturing than running an inventory program.
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