Lean Production and Lean Manufacturing

by BillHanover on February 25, 2011

Lean Production is generally synonymous with Lean Manufacturing. You should see our “Definition of Lean Manufacturing” at this link for additional information.

Boiling down “Lean Production” to a sort of “Vision Statement” or quick summary of key principles goes something like this:

Lean Production is…Eliminating wastes in all processes and doing things “the best way we know how.” It is recognizing that inventory and extra steps like handling, stocking, tweaking, reworking, waiting and etc. are tasks and events that should be avoided, reduced, or better still, eliminated.

Implementing Lean Production is what makes companies “run like a Swiss watch.” Yeah, we’ve all heard of companies that run exceptionally well; but truly being “World Class” takes some effort. That effort is almost always a function of exercising a Lean Manufacturing or Lean Production approach and getting your staff involved in the “Continuous Improvement” process.

So, Lean Production is… Lean Manufacturing which is… doing what you do in the least wasteful way possible. That’s the heart of Lean Production. The “Soul” of Lean production is getting everyone involved in the continuous improvement process so they treat the company, suppliers and customers like they own the place. That’s what you get when you implement Lean Manufacturing correctly!

All the Best,

Bill

{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

Jon Cunningham March 17, 2011 at 7:16 pm

Thank You

BillHanover March 19, 2011 at 4:23 am

You are quite welcome!

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