Lean Manufacturing
Lean Manufacturing is the production of your product to your customer's maximum daily demand in a balanced sequenced flow process with minimal lead time using only the value-added elements of that process. All non-value added activities, such as material handling, changeover, waiting, moving, and defects manufacturing are either eliminated or minimized.
Production Lead Time
Typically 95% of all lead time is non-value added.
Lean Manufacturing is a new departure from traditional manufacturing methods. The chart below highlights the differences.
| Lean Manufacturing | Traditional Manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Simple and Visual | Complex |
| Build to Demand | Build to Forecast |
| Minimal Inventory | Excessive Inventory |
| Focus on Non-Value Added | Focus on Value Added Work |
| Minimum Lot Size | Batch Processes |
| Minimal Lead Times | Long Lead Times |
| Quality Through Process | Quality Through Inspection |
| Value Stream Owners | Departmental Supervision |
The principles and concepts of Lean Manufacturing are based on the Toyota Production System, and can be applied in nearly every manufacturing environment including high volume, mixed model production as well as job shops and custom manufacturing. Flow Enterprise Process Management extends this approach throughout the organization to other business processes such as Order Processing, Distribution, etc.