Lean Manufacturing and Kaizen events
Adopting the Lean Manufacturing philosophy means seeking value for the end customer in every way by eliminating all those activities that do not add value to the product/service and through continuous improvement.
Adopting the Lean Manufacturing philosophy means seeking value for the end customer in every way by eliminating all those activities that do not add value to the product/service and through continuous improvement.
There are thus two Lean Manufacturing principles: reducing waste on the one hand and implementing the work flow using a system on the other.
Customer satisfaction means bringing the level of service and quality to %, minimising costs.
7 types of waste are considered in Lean Manufacturing:
- over production
- downtime
- transport
- process losses
- queues
- handling/research
- defects
Kaizen is the basis for improvement in the Lean Manufacturing philosophy.
Kaizen means changing for the better. Kaizen is a group of people who, working together, "in the field", obtain actual results. Kaizen represents everyone's efforts to bring about many small improvements daily, wherever possible, remembering that the best solutions are the simplest ones.
Kaizen includes:
The standardisation program: documenting the best way to perform work, through analysis
The restriction management program: eliminate every obstacle that does not permit efficient work
The order and cleanliness program (called the 55)
- SEIRÌ = Selection
- SEITON = Order
- SEISO = Cleanliness
- SEIKETSU = Maintenance
- SHITSUKE = Abiding by the rules
Over the last 3 years we have organised Kaizen every two months on average at Minifaber. Workgroups are truly heterogeneous: the goal is to involve personnel on all levels in improvement activities.
Most of the events focus on the order and cleanliness program because we are convinced that this is essential to work well and safely.