QUEBEC CITY—Flexpipe, a manufacturer and distributor of modular steel framing structures and material handling systems, has launched Lean Maker Academy, a free online certification program designed to teach workers to assemble modular system equipment for lean manufacturing.
ASSEMBLY Audible met with Olivier
Larue to investigate why and how the Toyota Production System needs to be better understood and used (not only in car production assembly) but can also be utilized in various governmental and entrepreneurial settings.
Atypical car contains some 30,000 parts, including fasteners, from dozens of suppliers. All these components must arrive at an OEM’s assembly plant in the right sequence at the exact moment that they’re needed. It’s a massive undertaking.
Recently, I was consulting with a procurement group, one of its OEM customers, and a product engineering firm. The goal was to find ways to reduce the cost of a particular product.
Software connects 14 manufacturing sites and more than 800 suppliers.
April 27, 2023
To improve its manufacturing and supply chain operations data, Johnson Controls implemented LeanDNA, a cloud-based platform that connects the company’s numerous ERP systems. Like many companies with distributed locations and processes, Johnson Controls data was scattered and difficult to find and understand. LeanDNA provides the company with a comprehensive, organized view of cross-site analytics.
Every industrial revolution has eliminated old jobs and created new ones. In many cases, manufacturers weren’t aware that these new jobs were even necessary. To succeed in this age of Industry 4.0, manufacturers will need to do more than just develop a workforce capable of dealing with upcoming technologies, they will need to foster a workplace culture of problem-solving and continuous improvement.
In the circus world, tightrope walking requires incredible balance and finesse. One wrong move can have dire consequences. Optimizing workflow on an assembly line is not as dangerous, but it requires a similar set of skills.