In some situations, the factory tends to become unproductive, lacks efficiency and unorganized. This is a time for factory reset where there is a need to start afresh. The workplace may not need drastic changes; however, it is time to implement principal changes that will make a difference and restore productivity within the workplace adapting the 5S factory reset measures. In order to reorganize your work area, the factory needs to have a 5s Factory …
It is important when managing assets, especially when they are customer owned, to be able to clearly identify and report condition of tooling and equipment. In the case of customer-owned tooling, there are often agreements that the business is responsible to maintain their equipment, but in order to do so, a meticulous process of budgeting and reporting is required. The first step in being able to manage tooling and assets is to have a good …
The world-renowned carmaker Toyota began studying supermarkets in the 1940s. Supermarkets have a unique in-store system that uses in-store stocking techniques. Their system always provides for adequate amounts of products on the shelves without having to store excess amounts because customers know they can always return to the store for more. Toyota believed that this same process could be applied to the factory floor. The demand for the product guided the ordering of products and …
Kaizen is a philosophy, a methodology, and a way of mind. There are a number of tools and conceptskaizen utilizes to inspire the continuous mindset. Below are a few of our favorite. Management: In kaizen, management has two functions: maintenance and improvement. Setting standards and keeping them is an important part of kaizen. One of management’s primary roles is to maintain the technological and operating standards that have been put into place. They make sure …
The term Lean Six Sigma, actually a combination of Lean and Six Sigma, is a methodology first implemented in the manufacturing sector that aims to continuously improve the workplace. These terms are fairly complex, but in a nutshell, Lean is concerned with reducing waste in the workplace by identifying anything that isn’t adding value to end products for customers (such as wasted time, movement, materials, etc.). Six Sigma principles emerge from a similar line of thinking and …
Karen Wilhelm – Lean Reflections Details. Karen discusses a study on human behavior by a group of anthropologists led by Dr. Margaret Mead, and how the years-ago study can be applied to Lean methodology in the workplace. Karen also details the transition to Lean by an old industrial business in Detroit, DTE Energy. Karen specializes in Lean thinking, and publishes the Lean Reflections blog. She is interviewed by Antonio Ferraro of Creative Safety Supply. Interview …
Sustaining a path of continuous improvement and growth can be the ultimate challenge for any organization. Whether you’re a Lean organization or not, continuous growth is something that all should strive for. However, it’s easier said than done. Which is why we at Creative Safety Publishing have come up with our own 10 Commandments For Continuous Growth to help organizations in their pursuit of continuous growth and improvement. The commandments are a reminder that continuous …