What Is Lean Manufacturing Process?

The lean manufacturing process maximizes value and minimizes waste, with the customer as the focal point. This process also continually looks for ways to improve production methods. Lean manufacturing defines value as any feature or product which a customer desires enough to pay for it. Everything that does not contribute toward this end must be eliminated from the lean manufacturing process.

Toyota

Toyota developed this concept, and many of the words common in lean manufacturing jargon are Japanese. "Takt," for instance, describes the method of pulling products through manufacturing because of customer demand, rather than producing items not related to demand and then trying to convince people to buy them.

Management

In the lean manufacturing process, company management must have respect for workers, and develop changes that make the employees' jobs more satisfying.

Employees

Employees, in turn, are expected to find new ways to eliminate waste from the manufacturing process, in a continuous improvement concept called "kaizen."

Waste Elimination

One approach to the lean manufacturing process focuses on improving quality while reducing production costs and time by eliminating any waste from the system.

Improving Production

The other approach focuses on improving smoothness in the manufacturing process by identifying areas of unevenness and eliminating them.

Resources

• Further information on the lean manufacturing process