Lean Transformation: How to Change Your Business Into a Lean Enterprise - Softcover

Bruce A. Henderson; Jorge L. Larco

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0964660121 ISBN 13: 9780964660120

Publisher: Oaklea Publishing, 1999

Synopsis

A how-to book for companies going lean. It warns of cultural issues that are certain to arise, and gives step by step instructions for making the transformation. It explains such tools as continuous flow, value stream mapping, kanban, kaizen, six sigma, just-in-time (JIT), and techniques for quick set-ups.

About this title

From the Publisher:

A must read for companies that want to stay competitive
In this easy-to-read, practical guide, two top executives explain how to employ techniques pioneered by Toyota to put a business in position to bury the competition. Lean Transformation walks readers through the steps to lean, from cultural issues, to mapping for continuous flow, to right-sizing machinery and quick set-ups, to kanban and material handling, to spreading the transformation from final assembly throughout the organization. The authors draw upon personal experience gained in transforming dozens of manufacturing plants and businesses around the world. Readers benefit from real-life case histories, charts, diagrams, and step-by-step instructions. They learn about pitfalls before stumbling on them, and benefit from numerous tips illustrated by real-life examples. Imagine that within a few short weeks the productivity of workers in your company could be improved by 25 to 40 percent. Imagine that the space required for manufacturing could be reduced by 50 percent. That inventory could be cut from its current level to two or three days. And that defective returns could be virtually eliminated. These are actual results the authors have experienced. Incredible as it may seem, as their operations continue to improve, they see more and more that can be accomplished. They have come to believe that once the right culture has fully taken hold, gains such as these are only the beginning. Of course, some executives at first do not believe lean techniques will work in their particular operation. But they quickly change their minds as they read and discover what has made Toyota, Dell Computers, and other lean manufacturers so successful. All that’s required are a few hours, and the suspension of disbelief. We urge you to invest this, and then decide for yourself. What would you do with 50 percent more space? How would you use the money freed by a big reduction in inventory? Would you lower your prices to take share, or would you drop more profit to the bottom line? Imagine being faced with such a choice. The amazing thing is, it can happen, and will happen to those who take to heart what Lean Transformation has to say.

Synopsis:

Known world-wide in manufacturing among those striving to maximise productivity and create pull-scheduling of production as 'the yellow book', this is the premier how-to book for companies going lean. Touted by experts everywhere as practical, down-to-earth, and easy to read, it warns of cultural issues that are certain to arise, and gives step by step instructions for making the transformation. It clearly explains such tools as continuous flow, value stream mapping, kanban, kaizen, six sigma, just-in-time (JIT), techniques for quick set-ups, and other pillars of the Toyota Production System.It's full of examples of value stream mapping, how kanban can resolve material supply issues, how kaizen brainstorming can result in startling improvements overnight, how just-in-time (JIT) frees mountains of money tied up in work-in-progress, why Six Sigma quality needs to be built in and not inspected in, how bottlenecks can be eliminated, kanban snafus spotted before they happen, and how instilling a championship mentality in cross-functional teams can lead to increased productivity and continuous improvement that doesn't stop after the initial kaizen event.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oaklea Publishing
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0964660121
• ISBN 13: 9780964660120
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 288
• Editor: Stephen H. Martin