Lean manufacturing is being increasingly adapted as an effective business approach by organizations across the globe. However, in order to gain the true benefits of using this technique it is essential for organizations to not only understand its purpose but also why they need to hire the services of professional lean consultants. According to the top lean manufacturing consultants in India, the primary objectives of this technique are to provide customer satisfaction, understand the value stream and continuously improve business processes. What makes the technique truly effective is that it provides the results by utilizing minimum resources by ensuring active involvement of the entire workforce in a continual process of improvement.
In this context, hiring the services of a lean manufacturing consultant is essential for ensuring the proper implementation of this technique. These consultants help the business organizations to understand how lean methodologies can help maximize productivity besides enhancing growth and profitability of the venture. This is ensured through the use of various tools and concepts that form an integral part of lean methodologies. Each of these tools and concepts offers a unique set of benefits and is implemented in accordance with the specific needs of the business organization.
Lean Concepts And Tools
There are many tools and concepts that lean manufacturing concepts comprise of. Each of the concepts has its own set of benefits, and is employed depending upon the requirements of a manufacturing unit. The six most critical of these tools and concepts are discussed in brief as follows.
Cellular Manufacturing
This concept focuses on the importance of arranging the various equipments and workstations in accordance with the different processes. It stresses on the location of these equipments in close proximity to groups of products produced in a similar manner. The idea is to reduce the recycling time and inventories to help the business meet the market response deadlines.
Takt Time
Takt time is defined as the average time that a business should take for manufacturing a product or performing a transaction based on the needs of the customers and the working time provided. It is one of the most critical elements of lean manufacturing and is often referred to as the heartbeat of the customer. The lean coaching training consultants inform the trainees about using the following formula for calculating Takt Time.
Takt = T/D
Here T refers to the Time available for provision of a product or service and D is defined as the demand in terms of quantity.
Standardized Work
This concept refers to the process of documenting the description of methods, materials, tools and processing times required to meet the takt time for a specific task. The primary objective of this concept is to ensure the standardization of tasks throughout the value stream.
One Piece Flow Or Continuous Flow
This objective of this concept is to reduce the batch sizes to overcome any challenges resulting from system constraints. This principle focuses on producing a product or information by moving steadily from one value added processing phase to the next. This continuous flow of production not only minimizes any chances of delay in task fulfilment but also streamlines the entire manufacturing process.
Pull Systems And Kanban
The concept is used by customers to initiate the supply for manufacturing product as its demand increases. Kanban is the name given to the signals used within a pull system through integration of scheduling and travelling instructions. These signals are provided with the help of visual devices .such as containers and cards.
Quick Changeover/ SMED
Quick changeover is a 3-stage methodology that focuses on reducing the time taken for switching on a machine. It uses externalization and streamlining steps for minimizing changeover times to help reduce the batch sizes and maximizing just-in-time deliveries.