Many businesses are looking for every advantage to be competitive in today’s manufacturing environment. Implementing the right mindset will help your business continue to be successful. Following are 5 key components to the lean manufacturing mindset.

 

Component 1. Lean manufacturing begins with continuous improvement or kaizen (the Japanese word for continuous improvement.) Kaizen should truly be the first element of your lean manufacturing and the key component around which your manufacturing facility is managed.  Continuous improvement is the mindset you need your workforce to own. You need your employees, and managers too, to always be thinking how they can work smarter with less effort, and fewer hours. Start with small improvements, and they will lead to the larger improvements. People are your most valuable resource. Make certain management understands the weight of this concept.

 

Component 2. Respect for employees is the second characteristic of lean manufacturing. Without people your business would not succeed. People need to feel respected. They need to feel they are vital to your businesses success, because they are. You employees need to be happy. Happy employees are more productive, more likely to show up on time, work more, and take an interest in their work. It will be more than work for them, it will a positive atmosphere to enjoy. That positive atmosphere will ultimately translate to more success for your business in quality of product, employee retention, and employee productivity. Lean manufacturing is more common sense than computer science. Constant communication with employees with praise for a good job, listening to ideas for improvements and productivity, and providing for a work-life balance all lead to greater employee success.

 

Component 3. Equal production should be maintained. You don’t want to stress out your employees manufacturing 100 components today and 40 tomorrow, when they can realistically manufacturing 10 an hour. 70 components a day will lead to more efficiency, with less stress. Make sure your forecasts and market demand are properly managed. Managing work flow expectations will provide greater employee satisfaction and help develop the success of a routine that will assist in quality of product.

 

Component 4. Just in Time production is the element of manufacturing only what is required when it is required, and reducing excess inventory levels. Just in Time manufacturing will provide efficiency in cash flow with less capital tied up in work-in-process, and finished goods. Just in Time production also reduces warehouse space required to store excess inventory. This saves your business from excess overhead expenses such as rent, utilities, security, and personnel.

 

Component 5. Quality of product is a keystone to maintain and build market share, and keep trusted customers. Quality begins with the top and works through the business. Train employees to perform their work well. If manufacturing quality is not according to your satisfaction, it is likely a problem with employee training. People with ambition and the right work environment can learn most skills if trained appropriately. Investing in your employees is expensive, but the ROI often pays off well.

 

Summary

Lean manufacturing is a mindset with a) common sense and continuous improvement in your business b) respect for your employees c) consistent work flow d) efficiency in manufacturing e) quality in production.

 

In your business, think how you can optimize these components, and maybe in addition, you want to retain an expert in manufacturing consulting to work with your business systems too.