 - Lean production is an assembly-line manufacturing methodology developed originally for Toyota and the manufacture of automobiles. It is also known as the Toyota Production System. The goal of lean production is described as "to get the right things to the right place at the right time, the first time, while minimizing waste and being open to change". Engineer Ohno, who is credited with developing the principles of lean production, discovered that in addition to eliminating waste, his methodology led to improved product flow and better quality.
Instead of devoting resources to planning what would be required for future manufacturing, Toyota focused on reducing system response time so that the production system was capable of immediately changing and adapting to market demands. In effect, their automobiles became made-to-order. The principles of lean production enabled the company to deliver on demand, minimize inventory, maximize the use of multi-skilled employess, flatten the management structure, and focus resources where they were needed.
During the 1980s, the set of practices summarized in the ten rules of lean production were adopted by many manufacturing plants in the U.S. and Europe. The management style was tried out with varying degrees of success by service organizations, logistics organizations and supply chains. Since the demise of many dot.coms, there has been a renewed interest in the principles of lean production, particularly since the philosophy encourages the reduction of inventory. Dell Computers and Boeing Aircraft have embraced the philosophy of lean production with great success.
The ten rules of lean production can be summarized:
1. Eliminate waste
2. Minimize inventory
3. Maximize flow
4. Pull production from customer demand
5. Meet customer requirements
6. Do it right the first time
7. Empower workers
8. Design for rapid changeover
9. Partner with suppliers
10. Create a culture of continuous improvement
| CONTRIBUTORS: |
Jim Malloy |
| LAST UPDATED: |
24 Oct 2004
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