Lean Manufacturing

Lean manufacturing is a management philosophy focusing on reduction of the 7 wastes (Over-production, Waiting time, Transportation, Processing, Inventory, Motion and Scrap) in manufactured products.

By eliminating waste (muda), quality is improved, production time is reduced and cost is reduced.

Lean Manufacturing Goals: (1) provide the best quality product, (2) in the shortest time period, (3) with the best total cost to the customer.

Key Elements:

1. Stability: Stable manufacturing processes and 100% quality.
2. Jidoka: Building quality into the production processes.
3. Continuous Flow: Produce one-by-one as efficiently as possible.
4. Takt Time/Standardized Work/Kaizen: Responding to ever-changing demand while eliminating waste.
5. Pull System: System designed to produce only sold products.

Heijunka: Level production according to volume and variety.