Chesterton’s Fence serves as a symbolic reminder that what may appear unnecessary or obsolete at first glance may have a purpose integral to the system.
Kenworth Truck Co. recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. The company has been a pillar of manufacturing activity in the Seattle area since 1923, operating out of a series of four different local factories, including its current flagship plant in Renton.
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.
In the last half century, the GE Gas Power plant in Greenville, SC, has experienced the same kind of dizzying roller coaster ride as the city where it's located.
Waste, in lean terms, is any activity that does not add value to the product while costing a manufacturer money and resources. From active losses to missed opportunities, these wastes are so common in manufacturing operations that they are often overlooked.
When lean tools are used effectively every day, manufacturers eventually arrive at a destination: lean culture. All the continuous improvement efforts along the way will drive a cyclical culture that's sustainable.
On Demand This topic is something that challenges each of us every day that we go to work. This talk is about change and why it works and why it fails. It is focused on manufacturing facilities, because that is where the author has spent most of his working life.