What is lean manufacturing?

Lean manufacturing is a production philosophy that emphasises the elimination of waste and continuous improvement in order to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

The aim of lean manufacturing is to create a highly efficient, flexible, and responsive production system that delivers high-quality products at the lowest possible cost.

Lean manufacturing is based on a set of principles, including:

1. Elimination of waste: This involves identifying and removing any activities or processes that do not add value to the customer.
2. Continuous improvement: Lean manufacturing encourages a culture of continuous improvement, where employees are encouraged to identify and address inefficiencies in their work processes.
3. Empowerment of employees: Lean manufacturing emphasizes empowering employees to make decisions and solve problems, rather than relying on a hierarchical structure.
4. Flow and pull: Lean manufacturing promotes the smooth flow of materials and information through the production process, with production being "pulled" by customer demand.

Many businesses have adopted lean manufacturing principles to increase efficiency and reduce costs. Some examples of companies that have implemented lean manufacturing include:

1. Toyota Motor Corporation
2. Honda Motor Company
3. Ford Motor Company
4. Procter & Gamble
5. GE Appliances

Lean manufacturing has been widely adopted in industries such as automotive, consumer goods, and electronics, and is widely recognized as a key driver of competitiveness and economic growth.