Lean manufacturing helps makers create lean techniques that can assist in building and maintaining most effectual manufacturing business. Lean manufacturing techniques enable cost cutting while improving on quality and production of items in the right quantity and at the right time. One of the key principles in lean manufacturing is […]

With the right approach to continuous improvement, printing companies can thrive if they’re willing to make the investment. To be successful, a company must recognize that processes are the central part of an operation and must continuously work on improving those processes. To do this, printing companies must shed the […]

How can a lean manager overcome fear and resistance to change, in time to turn around a failing company? Four key steps for effecting organizational change. When lean management is implemented to salvage a flailing organization, the existing team faces numerous challenges. A slight exaggeration here, but one day a […]

Ask the Expert: Lean Leadership’s Larry Fast says manufacturing is on the cusp of a new age. “We’ll all be wise to sign up and help make it happen.” Question: What role do you view big data analytics and AI playing in the future of lean manufacturing? Answer: Wow, this […]

In Europe’s most efficient car production plant, 115 cars are created every hour. Through a mixture of robots, experienced staff and lean manufacturing principles, the process is highly efficient, leading to the high output. Here, Hugh Freer, a director of electric tug specialist MasterMover, explains how suppliers to the automotive […]

Takt is one of lean manufacturing’s most misunderstood concepts. Here Andy Owen, Managing Director of motorised electric tug specialist MasterMover, explains how businesses can use it effectively. The humble drumkit is the cornerstone of modern music and is responsible for keeping pace, giving listeners precisely the song they want. Interestingly, the […]

     Ask the Expert: Lean Leadership: Have a question about lean leadership? Let Larry Fast tackle it for you. Question: Lean or CI experts seem to be the first to get laid off at manufacturers. How can we change this mentality of management? Also, there is a tendency to […]

Lean performance: For no surprises, standardize it Why standards and consistency are key for peak performance in a lean initiative. Earlier this year we explored the importance of four basic building blocks for success in lean manufacturing  and how technology can make success much easier to achieve. I have seen […]

At a succesful industry, one of our core operating principles is sustainability. That means minimizing waste to improve efficiency, add value, and refine the manufacturing process for our automotive products when and where we can. Lean manufacturing methodology is still considered a best practice in automotive manufacturing circles, despite increased […]

Jared Bringhurst is president of Futura Industries, a division of Bonnell Aluminum, a leading manufacturer of custom-fabricated and finished aluminum extrusions. Under Bringhurst’s operations leadership, Futura improved the quality of its products and on-time delivery in the extrusion industry, while most recently overhauling its anodizing facility. Bringhurst shared Futura’s successes […]