Lean Manufacturing

Lean manufacturing or lean production is a system and culture which aims at maximizing the output of a manufacturing process with minimal inputs with the help of many lean techniques and tools. It aims at reducing work in progress, buildup of excess raw materials, and finish goods.

Under a lean manufacturing production line, customer orders determine the production schedule thus it is named a pull system. In order for this system to be successful workers must be multi skilled, quality output at each step of the process, and fairly predictable demand with strong relationships with customers and suppliers. These characteristics are very important and have been present in many Japanese manufacturing companies that excel in lean production systems.


More lean concepts and terms