Since the start of the industrial revolution there has been constant improvement and innovation in how things are done. This has helped to push the manufacturing industry forward and made possible many of the incredible products that are available today. While there is no shortage of ideas, concepts, and inventions that helped to push industry forward, few of them have been as impactful as the Toyota Production…
Companies that are thinking about implementing a lean manufacturing strategy will need to spend some time learning about what this system is, and how it works. Lean manufacturing is a very beneficial system that incorporates a number of different concepts to help reduce waste, improve efficiency, and provide benefits to the entire organization. To get started with this process, make sure to have a good understanding of…
Lean manufacturing encompasses a broad array of industrial philosophies, concepts, and strategies. It can be intimidating to first-time learners. As a result, it can be hard to know where to start. We can help with that. This two-part blog series was created to give you an overview of Lean manufacturing and its foundational philosophies in a two digestible spoonfuls. Lean manufacturing is a business model that seeks to…
A successful Six Sigma program relies on a vast knowledge of the various philosophies, methods, and strategies that enable Six Sigma to be executed companywide. Six Sigma co-founder Bill Smith and Motorola recognized this fact, and it’s for that reason they spearheaded training efforts like Motorola University and Six Sigma Institute. To help with an organization’s Six Sigma efforts, individuals can expand their expertise on QA management…
Gemba walks are an extremely valuable tool for managers. When successfully utilized, these walkscan help leaders understand the processes in the production line and see firsthand how the work floor is operating. Planning for a Gemba walk can seem a bit daunting, but with these four steps to success, you can ensure your walk will be effective and beneficial for all. 1. Know the Purpose Before you…
The heart and soul of visual management is 5S. It is systematic approach to workplace organization and cleaning that will transform a disorganized workplace into an efficiently running machine. 5S creates a strong foundation that allows businesses to employ additional Lean manufacturing tools such as kaizen. When the work environment is orderly, people can more easily identify opportunities for improvement. The five phases of the 5S methodology…
Kaizen is a Japanese term that literally means improvement – improvement in your personal life and your working life. When a company adopts the kaizen model, it strives to improve its processes in small but meaningful ways, ultimately changing for the better. Kaizen is not just a one-time improvement, but rather a commitment to excellence by constantly testing and improving the workflow, day in and day out.…
The word gemba is a Japanese term that is used as part of many industries manufacturing strategies. The term means ‘The Real Place.’ The concept behind a gemba strategy is that supervisors, manager, and others who may be in charge of different areas need to be spending time in ‘the real place’ where the work gets done. In a manufacturing facility, for example, a supervisor following gemba techniques will…
As a management philosophy, lean manufacturing is all about continuous elimination and reduction of waste in the production and business processes. Small, incremental improvements constantly take place in an organization so that it helps lower costs, increase productivity and maintain top quality products. All these things could be achieved along with profits, and at the same time, put waste to a minimum. For the most part, lean…
The need for continuing improvement in the workplace grew over the years with new methods and systems introduced by organizational experts. One hugely appreciated initiative is the “visual workplace”, which is used as both guide and key performance measurement in many companies, businesses and industries. The idea behind a visual workplace is that it helps boost performance and achieve optimum output. On the other hand, its implementation…