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Our Lean Manufacturing Motto:
Live Lean and Prosper!

Are you truly serious about learning and implementing lean manufacturing in your business? If the answer is YES, you are between friends now.


Knowledge is power.

I decided to share this knowledge freely because I know that, in the long run, only those who provide true value will thrive in business.

My business is to make you succeed.

Now, how you apply that knowledge is a different story. Head knowledge is surely not enough. The determination to succeed comes from deep emotions.

So be prepared for a transformation all the way (inside and out).

Scared? Excited? Both?

Allow me to become your friend and guide you through some of the lessons I've learned the hard way, by doing it.

If you are ready to embark (and I sincerely hope you are), put on your hard hat and let's start our adventure.



What is the right way of implementing lean manufacturing?


Well, there is no quick recipe.


What the successful companies have in common is:


- Top management team that promotes and lives the lean walk


- Vision and a road map to get there


- Balanced scorecard to track the improvements


- People well trained in lean concept and techniques


- Core team to drive and follow up on all aspects of implementation


- Plan in place to achieve the milestones


- Kaizen methodology


- Determination and perseverance


- Recognition and reward



Starting point


My advice is this:


If you are just beginning the journey, please follow the link to "What is Lean?" and continue with the subsequent tabs on the navigation bar at the left of the page. Or simply scroll down this page.

For the more "seasoned traveler", please follow the links to places of interest.

For both, please don't get discouraged by the magnitude of the lean manufacturing field.

You may say to yourself that you cannot possibly use all the tools. You know what? You may not even need to. Some may not apply to your business.

Besides, you are not alone (remember me?). I'll guide your steps and you can return always here for more advice and ideas.



The main lean manufacturing tools we'll learn to implement together are:


- 5S Workplace Organization,

- Kanban,

- Value Stream Mapping (VSM),

- Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)

- SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Die / Quick Changeover)

- Poka-Yoke (Error Proofing and Mistake Proofing)

- Kaizen (Continuous Improvement)

- Autonomation (based on Jidoka)



Any feedback you can provide to make this site more valuable will be much appreciated.



My wish to you is:


LIVE LEAN AND PROSPER!

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Lean Manufacturing Blog
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Contact
Contact information

Special Offer
Special offer / donation

What is Lean Manufacturing
The answer to "What is Lean Manufacturing" is easy once you read the brief definition and the description of its main pillars based on a strong foundation of stability.

Lean Thinking - or the Paradigm Shift
Explore the mind of lean: lean thinking is what causes a powerful transformation in attitude and ultimately leads to embracing the change and to innovation.

Valuable Lean Manufacturing Principles
Reflect on the lean manufacturing principles based on the Toyota lean philosophy as you start or continue your lean journey, by reading valuable information

Lean Manufacturing Definitions
You can find here important lean manufacturing definitions listed in alphabetical order for your convenience.

Lean Manufacturing Tools
Learn here the main Lean Manufacturing Tools that will help you focus on the best approach to yourlean manufacturing implementation.

Lean Implementation Steps
Learn the lean implementation steps that would provide the most benefit to your company in your lean journey

Lean Training Options
What are your Lean Training options? You can find here a variety of possibilities at your disposal, for an increase success rate.

Site Build It - Lean Website to Make Money Online
With Site Build It you will explore the leanest way of opening or improving a modern business, creating a website and making money online

5S Workplace Organization
5S Workplace Organization is one of the most important tools in lean manufacturing. You can find here all the information you need to implement and sustain a successful program.

Seven Wastes -Learning to see the waste
The best way to start implementing lean manufacturing is to understand the seven wastes that silently and deadly reduce the profitability. See what this means and learn more about it.

5S Housekeeping
5S Housekeeping - Is it possible to start right away? Sure! Learn what steps you need to take.

Understanding 5S Principles and Philosophy
Tutorial for learning the 5S principles - going beyond a simple definition - and applying them in the program implementation

5S Training Options
Read carefully the 5S training opportunities at your disposal and make an informed decisions before you proceed

Implement successfully a 5S program
Learn the proven steps for implementing and sustaining the 5S program (system) in your company

Performing a successful 5S Audit
Learn how to do the monthly 5S audit successfully for a sustainable 5S program.

Visual Factory at Work
Apply Visual Factory to your processes to reduce the seven wastes that eat away your ewalth. Find out how in the following page.

Value Stream Mapping the Flow
Adopt Value Stream Mapping as your choice of visualizing the the flow and identifying the seven wastes in your system by visiting oursite of lean learning.

TPM Overview
TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) represents the ultimate solution to your machine downtime. Find out how by reading and learning more on our site.

Autonomous Maintenance
Choose Autonomous Maintenance as the first step in implementing TPM. Find out how by reading and following the steps described on our site.

Implement Total Productive Maintenance
Implement successfully Total Productive Maintenance by following the clear guidelines provided here.

TPM Training
Here you'll find TPM training advice and techniques that can help you in the TPM implementation.

JIT (Just-In-Time)
JIT or Just In Time Manufacturing is a pillar of Toyota Production System. Find here information about what it is about and how to use it beneficially.

Kanban System Advantages
Learn about the Kanban System and the practical ways to implement this pull system to your advantage.

Heijunka - Level Production
Heijunka - Learn how to use this lean tool to level your production in order to maximize your profits while ensuring that your customer is protected

SMED Implementation Steps
Learn to implement SMED to achieve quich changeover, whatever your application is, for increased profit while protecting the customer's needs.

Andon System
Andon - You can find here a brief description and examples of typical Andon systems, plus suppliers.

Poka Yoke Fundamentals
Apply Poka Yoke techniques to minimize the need for correction in your processes. Learn here how.

Jidoka Principle
Understand the Jidoka Principle and learn to apply it correctly by reading the following page.

Autonomation or "Automation with Human Intelligence"
Find out why Autonomation is a vital component of a successful lean transformation

Kaizen Essentials
Explore the Kaizen approach to improve your processes. Find out why Kaizen is indispensable to your business by visiting our site.

Lean Lego Game
Experience a powerful lean simulation by playing a lean lego game that teaches the difference between mass production and one-piece flow or continuous flow production

Lean Links
You can find here lean links to websites that provide valuable information and resources for a more complete understanding of lean manufacturing

Lean Store
In the Lean Store you'll find a selection of books and other materials that I found very useful in my lean journey.


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