| In the 1980's, JIT manufacturing methods became | | | | necessary due to poor design or methodology |
| prevalent as a way of reducing waste and enhancing | | | | 7) Defects - quality issues, inspection of and repair of |
| value to the company. A natural outgrowth of JIT or | | | | any defects in products |
| Just-in-time production is lean manufacturing, which | | | | Two more items have been proposed by |
| focuses not just on raw material waste, but | | | | researchers as additions to these "seven deadly |
| anywhere in the entire product flow process where | | | | wastes" - one is the waste of human talent, and one |
| waste can be eliminated. | | | | is manufacturing goods or services that do not meet |
| Loosely based on the success of Toyota Corporation | | | | customer demand or specifications. |
| (which has a methodology known as TPS or Toyota | | | | Two other types of wastes are also identified - |
| Production System) and the early works of Henry | | | | "muri" or wastes that happen during the planning |
| Ford, lean manufacturing can be implemented in two | | | | process that result in unreasonable work performed |
| ways - one which focuses mainly on reducing waste | | | | by employees, and "mura", which is waste due to |
| and one which is more process based. All | | | | inconsistencies in process - mostly resulting from |
| implementations of lean methodologies focus on using | | | | inaccurate demand forecast and inventory planning. All |
| fewer resources, less space, less manpower, less | | | | these terms are Japanese words - as lean |
| capital and less time to produce products and | | | | manufacturing has its roots in Japanese management |
| services with fewer defects and more overall value | | | | style. |
| to the end customer. | | | | A more process flow oriented approach would focus |
| Lean manufacturing methods identify seven key | | | | on getting the people and materials in the right places |
| "muda" or areas of waste after the production | | | | at just the right time to make the optimum product |
| process is in place: | | | | at the optimum cost and customer benefit. |
| 1) Transportation, when used to move materials that | | | | Pharmaceutical consulting firms believe that lean |
| are not actually used | | | | manufacturing begins with lean thinking, and leads to |
| 2) Inventory - which is everything not being | | | | a green and sustainable business model with |
| processed now | | | | maximum profitability. The success of Toyota |
| 3) Motion - people or machinery being moved more | | | | Corporation is a shining example of what |
| than is necessary | | | | transforming your processes and manufacturing |
| 4) Waiting - any people or machinery waiting for the | | | | organization to a lean model can buy you long term. |
| next production step | | | | If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to post it |
| 5) Overproduction - production ahead of demand | | | | to your site or blog and forward this link to your |
| 6) Over processing - more production steps than | | | | friends. Have a great day! |