The best way to reduce machining lead time is to establish a “flow” from one process to another, using cells to link, synchronize, and eliminate excessive material handling, excess inventory, and ...

Advice from suppliers As businesses grow, one of the first places we turn for advice is machine suppliers. We buy a CNC and ...

“We are different. Every job is unique.” “We cannot expect teamwork from skilled trades. Their work is too specialized.” “We must keep our people busy at all times. That’s why inventory is so ...

VSM is a lean management technique that helps businesses eliminate process redundancies and waste by finding ways to improve current lean and agile business processes. Companies are always looking for ...

Ariens Co. CEO Dan Ariens says he plans regular plant-floor gemba walks as a way to hold employees accountable for their lean manufacturing obligations. Legendary lean practitioner Art Byrne says he ...

The steps of a complex process can be displayed in sequence using a graphic referred to as a process flowchart. The graphic explains the way a process is or should be functioning, depending on the ...

Lean Six Sigma often evokes the image of a war room of sorts: a physical space with whiteboards, sticky notes, and a group of ...