We have shared articles and infograhics about LEAN management in the past but today L.E.A.N. has a new twist. L.E.A.N. = Lead, Enable And Nurture
by Newcastle Systems, on Thu, Sep 10, 2015
We have shared articles and infograhics about LEAN management in the past but today L.E.A.N. has a new twist. L.E.A.N. = Lead, Enable And Nurture
by Newcastle Systems, on Wed, Sep 09, 2015
In today’s highly competitive environment, you need to maximize your profitability. Learn how to trim the excess from your distribution systems and work leaner, stronger, and more efficiently. Change your warehouse from a cost center to a profit center.
by Christine Wheeler, on Mon, Jul 07, 2014
Can Lean Consultants be a valuable asset to a Company? We use an infographic to get a big picture look at the many aspects of lean to consider whether a lean consultant is beneficial to you business:
by Christine Wheeler, on Mon, May 26, 2014
The "go green" movement may have seemed like a passing fad many years ago when it first entered mainstream consciousness. To some, it resembled something that brought to mind the free-spirited and anti-establishment countercultures of the late 1960s more than it did a modern step toward environmentally responsible living. Despite skepticism, sustainable living has become an integral part of our daily lives.
Principles and standards that guide eco-friendly ways of living and doing business are often referred to as "lean" principles, and the term is used most frequently in the manufacturing industry. Essentially, operating under lean concepts means you're trimming the fat, so to speak, and reducing the amount of by-products and waste generated by your company during the production process. Originally introduced by Japanese automaker Toyota Production Systems, lean manufacturing focuses on eliminating everything that goes into creating your product, from employee labor to raw materials, that does not add value in some way for your customers.
by Christine Wheeler, on Mon, May 19, 2014
Business with warehousing, shipping, inventory control systems and facilities have heard of Lean Manufacturing systems, 5S Methodology and the 7 types of wastes. 5S is a way of thinking and philosophy focused on creating a well-managed and organized workspace by eliminating wastes – one of which is motion.
by Christine Wheeler, on Wed, May 07, 2014
There are many examples where lean manufacturing has inspired a new and arguably better way to eliminate waste. To appreciate it, you have to understand what adherents of this paradigm mean by "waste." The term, put simply, refers to anything—tools, processes, materials, activities, personnel—that does not contribute to the value of a product or service as perceived by the customer.
But there are a lot of misconceptions about lean manufacturing that, when left unchecked, could devalue brands and companies committed to the paradigm. Here are some of those myths, along with the facts. Remember, making a well-informed decision—not blindly adopting just about any aspect of the paradigm—is the key to getting the most value of it.
by Christine Wheeler, on Mon, Feb 17, 2014
5S is a philosophy, a way of thinking which focuses on organizing and managing the workspace by eliminating 7 Wastes while improving quality and safety.
Muda (無駄?) is a Japanese word meaning "futility; uselessness; idleness; superfluity; waste; wastage and wastefulness". A process that consumes resources where waste occurs is when more resources are consumed than are necessary to produce the goods or provide the service that the customer actually wants.
There are forms of waste in addition to the seven. The 8 most common forms of waste can be remembered using the mnemonic "DOWNTIME"
- Defective Production
- Overproduction
- Waiting
- Non-used Employee Talent
- Transportation
- Inventory
- Motion
- Excessive (Over) Processing)
by Christine Wheeler, on Mon, Jan 13, 2014
The purpose of Lean is to deliver value to customers by removing all waste, overburden and variation from processes. The first step is to create a Lean culture . . . and then continuously improve processes to exceed customer expectations. A true lean culture is when the first question is always why (purpose) and then what (action) so problems are solved by everyone (people).
by Christine Wheeler, on Tue, Nov 12, 2013
Gemba Walks - In lean manufacturing, the idea of genba is that the problems are visible, and the best improvement ideas will come from going to the genba. The gemba walk, much like Management By Walking Around (MBWA), is an activity that takes management to the front lines to look for waste and opportunities to practice genba kaizen, or practical shopfloor improvement.
by Christine Wheeler, on Tue, Nov 05, 2013
Over the years, research — as well as trial and error — led to what is now called lean manufacturing.