Chuck LEAN Business Consultant
The basic idea behind lean manufacturing is to create streamlined processes that deliver products “just in time” – exactly when the customer needs them, without the products spending any time on a shelf as inventory. The idea of “just in time” applies both to the end product and the raw materials for that product within the plant – for instance, delivering a set of screws for one product exactly when they are needed. Just in time seeks to implement a “pull” philosophy that maximizes product flow across the length of the factory.
Is this really the big challenge to implementing Lean?
What is your experience with implementing Lean manufacturing?
Your experiences will help me
In my experience, cultural transformation is the key to a successful Lean Manufacturing implementation.
The culture of the company must change. Leaders need to go to the shop floor and work with people to solve problems and improve processes.
Cultural transformation is changing habits, the way of working, and the belief system. To change a belief system, you need to create a system. This will definitely be the most time-consuming and challenging part.
Once the culture is changed you can implement 6S (with safety), Kanban, Kaizen and Lean Six Sigma.