Since its invention in 1987, Six Sigma has become a globally accepted quality management initiative within the corporate world. Possessing the potential to dramatically improve product quality, reduce process inefficiencies and foster an overall culture of continuous improvement, it is no surprise why so many organizations are beginning to adopt the Six Sigma approach. And…
Finding ways to improve your manufacturing facility can be difficult, but it is well worth the effort. There are many different strategies out there to consider. Cutting back on lead time is one of the best things that any company can do to cut out waste, get products to customers faster, and improve overall service.…
It is certainly not uncommon for a company to develop processes and procedures related to the way that they produce their products. It is, however, very uncommon for one of these systems to become the foundation for how millions of businesses around the world engage in manufacturing. The Toyota Production System (TPS) is one of…
In the manufacturing world, quality rules the day. Producing high-quality products that both meet company standards and customer expectations consistently is what manufacturing engineers dream about, what occupies their thoughts whether they’re in the office, at their kids’ ballet recital, or on the train heading home. Making high-quality products is tough enough, but to do…
Gemba, a term first used by Toyota, means going to the real place where the action is. In the 1980s, ‘In Search of Excellence’ author Tom Peters popularized the concept when he talked about management by wandering around (MBWA). Like MBWA, Gemba walks take management to the front lines to see daily happenings. Gemba, however,…
If your company is like most organizations, you’re searching for a competitive edge. Something that will reduce costs, increase sales, and make you more agile in a changing business environment. You’ve found it. Simply put, 5S is a systematic approach to workplace organization. But it’s also much more than that. 5S is about efficiency, competitiveness,…
The best thing about kaizen – and the biggest reason that every company should adopt it – is that it does not rely on expensive, innovative solutions. Just the opposite is true. The core principle of kaizen is to make small, immediate improvements in the processes and standards of the workplace. But not just one…
Lean, the manufacturing methodology, impacts nearly every aspect of the business in order to reduce and eliminate wastes while maintaining or improving quality. Lean can be worked into virtually any part of a business and in any area in a facility. The scope of Lean is broad and can sometimes be seen as abstract. To…
Lean manufacturing is a systematic methodology used to reduce wastes in the process while improving productivity and sustaining or improving the value of the product for the consumer. Many concepts, principles, and strategies fall under the umbrella of Lean The concepts and principles of Lean manufacturing are often referred to as a house: a strong…
The principles and strategies of Lean manufacturing are mostly derived from the Toyota Production System. Because this system is was developed in Japan, there are many Lean terms that are also Japanese terms like Heijunka or Jishuken. There are also a few English words in the Lean vernacular including Value Stream Mapping and Bottleneck Analysis.…