OK, So It’s Not the "Lean Travel" Blog
I know not everybody travels, so y’all might not be concerned about attempts to see lean (or NON lean) practices in the travel world. But, I travel almost weekly, so this is one “gemba” I see quite a bit. One…
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A tale of two factories – China and U.S.
A tale of two factories – FORTUNE Here is an interesting piece from the latest FORTUNE magazine. The reporter visited two Tenneco Automotive plants that both make mufflers — one in Litchfield, Michigan (my home state) and one in China.…
Value Stream Mapping Software
Another question to pose to you, the blog readers and lean folks: Does anyone have experience with “Value Stream Mapping Software”? I’ve been asked to investigate options for my organization. I’m not completely sold on the value of using specialized…
Giving a Great Apology
I’m sure that among the readers of The Lean Blog there there is nothing but support for the lean principles of developing and respecting people. However, even with the best of intentions, consistently abiding by these principles, particularly in fast…
Because that’s not on my list
Like Mark, I’m frustrated today. Recently I’ve been working to support a quality improvement blitz within a manufacturing facility. The plant is taking a step towards ISPC by establishing maximum levels of defects at the end of each zone. The…
An Encouraging Lean Example at United Airlines
Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association union website Ok, here’s some positive balance after my crabby posts from earlier (the timing is right to dig this up after typing it — as part of a blog batch — over the weekend). I’ve…
Lean Tools Not Working In Pharma
Lean proves mean in drug manufacturing Sigh, yet another attempt to say “lean doesn’t apply in our industry.” A survey of pharma companies shows they think lean isn’t working. “The survey of more than 1,500 pharmaceutical manufacturers, conducted by solutions…
Why Make It Hard to Buy?
Sigh, crabby mood… for those of you who don’t like the “Crabby Mark” blog posts, here come a few today. It’s often commented about here (and Jamie Flinchbaugh makes this point in his first podcast discussion with me), that lean…
Another Shingo Prize for the Army
The Herald-Mail ONLINE Congratulations to the Letterkenny Army Depot for winning its second Shingo Prize for lean excellence. “David Gress, the division chief for the Ground Support Division, said each step of production is limited to 30 minutes. Depot Chief…
Lean & Flexible
Are lean and flexible equivalent terms? I’ve been seeing more and more about flexibility and hearing the term used interchangeably with lean. Flexibility, mainly referring to capital intensive equipment and plants continues to be a major theme in the plans…
Stinky "Cheese"
I might have been the last one in the working world to try reading the book “Who Moved My Cheese?: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life.” My dad gave me a copy…
Lean Guys, Not Marketing Guys?
Concrete Heads offer real world lean practice – Manufacturing Computer Solutions news article I know the British sense of humor is different…. and I get the reference to the term…. but I’m not sure if it’s smart for a group…