Uncommon Sense: Is It Lean or Just Anemic: Apologia
The distribution of responses was particularly interesting. About 70 percent were positive, ranging from mildly to quite firmly supportive. Almost to a person, these positive responses came from people involved with manufacturing, in positions from shop floor manufacturing engineer to vice president of manufacturing. Generally, most agree that the focus of lean manufacturing is on the shop floor, whether it should be or not. Most are also aware that although manufacturing labor is only a minor element of overall cost, factory payroll is a significant component of overhead cost.
On the other hand, the 30 percent or so who are confident lean manufacturing is beneficial point to its impact across the entire firm, and challenge my statement that it is mostly a bottom-up methodology. Several point to quite dramatic gains in reducing inventory levels and improving responsiveness. And on both sides, several questioned whether my career is (or should be) in consulting!