Articles Tagged with ''lean manufacturing''

Organizations are successful if they incorporate structured steps for implementing Lean Six Sigma so that the enterprise as a whole benefits.

Last month I laid out “A Roadmap for the Future” which received a favorable reaction, therefore, I thought I might continue along this path on a subject that is important to every quality professional.

Around 1999, Hypertherm Inc. changed the manufacture of one of their products from a “craft style,” in which one person built the entire product from start to finish, to a team approach.

Recently I had a conversation with a senior quality engineer at a large manufacturing operation about the future of the quality profession. There is no definite answer because no one has a crystal ball but a transformation has been underway. There have been several studies published and many articles, including some by this author, written on this issue.

According to Smith, lean is not just for manufacturing but it is a philosophy that can be applied to any environment to reduce waste.

Rings that do not seal, porous metals that leak fluid and tubes with holes can result in parts malfunctioning causing millions of dollars in damage, and even loss of life.