What is a Gemba Walk?
Gemba walks are an important concept in your Lean toolbox. Managers and business leaders go on Gemba (“go and see”) walks to observe firsthand how the production line is operating. The Objective of a Gemba Walk In businesses, managers often look to company leaders for direction. The value created by a business, though, exists out…
Jesse Allred | February 11, 2019 | Lean | 2 min read
The 5S Shine Pillar – Inspection and Maintenance
The third step of 5S is Seiso, a Japanese term translated to mean Shine. During Shine, workers are encouraged to do a deep cleaning of their space, ensuring there is no grime, dust, or oil spills remaining. However, it is important to remember that cleaning is not the only facet of this phase and that…
Jesse Allred | January 15, 2019 | 5S, Lean, Lean Manufacturing | 2 min read
The Toyota Production System House
The Toyota Production System, or TPS, is a widely-used and successful production system in manufacturing that focuses on reducing and eliminating waste, while producing quality products for consumers. The TPS model was developed by the Toyota Motor Corporation for their vehicle production system, but the principles and activities it encompasses can be applied to nearly…
Jesse Allred | September 20, 2018 | Kanban, Lean | 2 min read
How do you make a Factory Culture Embrace Lean?
Several years ago, I was working as a project manager for a local manufacturing company. The owner asked me how much I knew about lean, and I told them I had about three years experience working on a lean transformation in upstate New York in which we had to completely change the factory climate from…
Tony Ferraro | November 17, 2013 | Lean | 2 min read
Lean Is More Than Its Tools
I talked with a guy yesterday about 5S and how well it would work at his office. I asked him what the problem was, and he said, “Oh, you know, it’s messy and I want people to be tidier.” I didn’t laugh or anything, but I let him know that 5S, under the larger lean…
Tony Ferraro | November 3, 2013 | Lean | 1 min read
Connection Between 5S and Lean
In order to have a good understanding how 5S and lean concepts are connected, is important to first take a look at them separately. 5S is a way of measuring the implementation of lean manufacturing techniques. It is the foundation which is used to support lean manufacturing strategies from the beginning until full implementation. Lean manufacturing,…
Tony Ferraro | August 21, 2013 | 5S, Lean, Lean Manufacturing | 2 min read
Importance of Catchball
The catchball is an important part of any planning process, but it is something that is all too often just glossed over. When done properly the catchball encourages leadership and team members to dialogue about a particular topic in an efficient and productive manner. It can help to break down the walls which are all…
Tony Ferraro | July 22, 2013 | Kaizen, Lean | 2 min read
The Lean Manager
Getting started as a lean manager can be a daunting task because in many cases people don’t really understand what it is you’re supposed to be doing. In many cases the lean manager will also have other roles within the facility, and has been given the task of implementing lean concepts as well. One of the most…
Tony Ferraro | June 25, 2013 | Lean | 2 min read
Taking Advantage of your IT Staff to Implement Lean
When evaluating a facility for ways to improve efficiency and implement lean standards there are many different areas to observe. For most companies it is important to take advantage of the IT staff when planning and implementing any changes or improvements throughout the facility. While IT won’t be able to assist with every single step…
Tony Ferraro | April 24, 2013 | Lean | 2 min read
Lean Hospital
If you run or even just work in a hospital it is likely quite clear that there are many things which can, and should, be done to help improve the way things run. Unfortunately with a system which is as large and complex as a healthcare facility this can be difficult to do. If you’re…
Tony Ferraro | April 8, 2013 | Lean | 2 min read
