5s sort

5S: Sort

February 2, 2016 mmllmm 0

“When in Doubt, Move it Out” The first step in 5S is Sorting essential from non-essential items.  The goal is to leave only the items […]

5s set in order

5S: Straighten (Set in Order)

February 2, 2016 mmllmm 0

The straighten step establishes designated locations for everything.  This ensures that tools, materials and resources can be found easily when they are needed, and are […]

5s Shine

5S: Shine

February 2, 2016 mmllmm 0

Organization and cleanliness go hand-in-hand.  After eliminating the non-essential items (sort) and placing everything essential in its proper place (straighten), the next step is to […]

5S Standardize

5S: Standardize

February 2, 2016 mmllmm 0

As with any program, success is dependent on the expectations, guidelines and continued monitoring of the program.  5S is not a spring cleaning activity that […]

5s_sustain

5S: Sustain

February 1, 2016 mmllmm 0

The most important element of 5S is developing and encouraging total employee involvement. 5S is not a program for a portion of the workforce.  Everyone, […]

Lean Manufacturing Tools

Lean Manufacturing Tools

February 1, 2016 mmllmm 0

Lean Manufacturing provides a methodology for eliminating waste and improving organizations.  This methodology developed over the last 50+ years, and has yielded a wide array […]

7 Wastes

The 7 Wastes

January 31, 2016 mmllmm 0

The 7 Wastes provide a central theme to the lean methodology.  The goal of lean is to maximize value and minimize waste.  Ultimately, value to […]

Toyota Production System

Toyota Production System

January 31, 2016 mmllmm 0

The Toyota Production System is the methodology developed at Toyota that led to the development of lean manufacturing and the lean philosophy. The Toyota Production […]

Defects and rework

7 Wastes: Defects

January 31, 2016 mmllmm 0

Poor quality and the resulting defects are a major source of cost for many companies.  This is also a cost that is often under reported […]

Waste Motion

7 Wastes: Motion

January 31, 2016 mmllmm 0

Motion is a waste common in both manufacturing and service industries.  This waste is very similar to transportation waste, but relates to movement within a […]

Over Processing Waste

7 Wastes: Processing

January 31, 2016 mmllmm 0

Processing activities are typically viewed as value added.  It is the manufacturing processes that add value to the product and to the customer.  Despite this, […]

Waste - time is money

7 Wastes: Wait Time

January 31, 2016 mmllmm 0

Waiting is one of the 7 Wastes that most people recognize easily.  Eliminating time spent waiting has been a focus of manufacturing improvement activities since […]

Inventory Waste

7 Wastes: Inventory

January 31, 2016 mmllmm 0

Inventory is recognized in as a waste in the lean system.  This is because inventory does not add any value to the customer, but has […]

Overproduction

7 Wastes: Overproduction

January 31, 2016 mmllmm 0

Overproduction occurs when a company manufacturers a product before there is a customer demand. Overproduction can occur with individual processes or across the entire value […]

Continuous Improvement

Lean Maturity

January 30, 2016 mmllmm 0

Knowing When You’re Lean Recently I have been seeing more and more discussion about Lean Maturity and people asking us how they know they are […]