Lean manufacturing, as a term, means different things to different people. But it can be agreed that lean manufacturing represents a philosophy that emphasises the reduction of waste. If your business is wasting money or you are overstuffed with inefficient processes, learning about lean manufacturing can be invaluable to your company, even if you do not operate in manufacturing. What are the 6 factors you need to consider to apply this process to your business operation?
By Team Savant
Image: Remy Gieling
Eliminating Waste
While eliminating or reducing waste is one of the core principles, you can look at companies that are focused on lean manufacturing practices. Many organisations that use CNC machining will have invariably crafted their own lean manufacturing processes by minimising waste and identifying wasteful activities. Many companies like this are smaller in stature, so they've had to learn how to do more with less. You can take inspiration from this to identify more efficient ways to increase the value of your product line and, therefore, your bottom line.
Speeding Up Response Time
Manufacturers have spent time understanding the necessary components and have forecast the market, but this is always beneficial in a high-speed environment. Response time and reaction time are crucial and you can benefit from being more reactive in your organisation, whether it's having an automated out-of-office email or staggering shifts to ensure 24/7 response times can make a big difference to your business.
Reducing the Inventory
Excess inventory is something we're all guilty of, especially when we are looking at improving our technology. Unnecessary technology can be akin to having a paperweight in the office that comes with a very expensive price tag. When you start to reduce the inventory, you can increase your response time and improve quality control.
Increase Autonomy in Your Employees
When you give your employees the authority to make relevant decisions, but also give them the tools to do so, you are going to have a happier workforce, and you will also find more appropriate solutions to problems. Start to listen to your employees, because they may have grand ideas that really will boost morale and your business performance.
Reaching Out To Suppliers
When you work with suppliers and partner up with them in a lean manufacturing process, you are eliciting cooperation, so everybody can benefit. An obvious example is in the supply chain. Working with the supply chain and asking people questions to understand how you can work better for them means that they are more open and receptive to a long and beneficial partnership. When you start to treat them as your equal, rather than someone that merely supplies you with stuff, you are going to strengthen these relationships that are so crucial to your overall operation.
Getting Customer Feedback
This is so important to the lean manufacturing process, but if you are not practising it already it's time to do so. The point of lean manufacturing is to adapt to changes over its lifespan. When you start to obtain input from customers, you can satisfy the customer needs within your framework and everybody can benefit.