Lean Manufacturing

Lean Manufacturing is an ancient Japanese way or method of doing things and it s very good and highly effective. It can be described as a continuous or repetitive improvement system. It is a system whereby one continuously improves or continuously tries to improve ways of doing a particular task or a particular job or something. Lean Manufacturing is a system which was discovered or developed by the Japanese and it is used all over the world and it is very good and great way to run your business and it is a great way to do business. Lean Manufacturing is mostly used in the manufacturing industry and it is very good and highly effective when it comes to Lean Manufacturing. It is a system or the process of continuously improving when it comes to quality, processes, technology, productivity, safety, company culture, work force attributes, work force attitude and leadership. This system involves improving in all areas of your business and continuously striving to do things better, quicker and more efficiently. In this system from a management point of view you must try to do your best always and to give your best in everything you do.
Lean Manufacturing system was created or developed in Japan and it was developed or created after the Second World War It simply means continuous improvement and it is a word which is derived from the Japanese words “kai”. Kai simply means to fix, correct, improve or change and the word “zen” simply means good. So when you put these words together the direct meaning you get is, change good or correct good. This Japanese system does not target or affect a certain section of the work force nor does it target management only, it is designed to affect each and every aspect and area of the company. So right from the top level management right down to the lowest paid employee, they must think of this system and practice it. It is very good for the lean manufacturing system because it affects each and everyone. Everyone must get involved and implement this train of thought and this system. If everyone implements it and practices it then the company will continuously improve itself and it will gradually become better in everything it does.
Since it does not target or relate to a certain area or a certain department of the company it is very effective. So whether you are in High management or you are part of the cleaning staff or cleaning team you will try day after day to improve and become better in each and everything you do and this make not only you a better person and employee but it will also make the company a better company and a better place to work at. In this marvellous system everyone is asked and encouraged to participate in the running and day to day improvements of the company and their work station or work area. They are kindly asked to come up with suggestions and ways to improve the company structure, company activities and any other areas of the company. Their suggestions and ideas do not have to be big, they can be small and they can be about anything not just big and huge problems. They are asked and encouraged to do this on a regular basis so that a culture of continuous improvement is created and bred.
So this is not done twice a week or twice a month but on a continuous basis and this system really works especially in the Lean manufacturing business. Top management at times is just too busy to worry about things that might appear small and insignificant to them but if everyone is involved then all problems and all matters affecting the company and its employees whether big or small or will addressed and attended to. Some big companies that use this system and are very successful include Toyota the big car manufacturer and Canon the electronic device company. This 2 companies use this system and they have well over 10 000 suggestions and improvements are made each and very year.

5S - Process or a large part of Kaizen
Lean Manufacturing - Helps develope lean process
Poke-Yoka - Process to help find average timing