Harada-san and the steps to better Jidoka
FEATURE – In the first piece of a series on Takehiko Harada’s contribution to TPS, the authors discuss the Nagara Switch and how it helps to achieve better Jidoka.
lean production
Half the bad, double the good
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Case studiesJan 20, 2020
CASE STUDY – The story of this Norwegian window and door manufacturer shows how a deep and ongoing commitment to a lean transformation can help a company thrive against all odds.
Centerlining: what it is and how it works
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FeaturesJan 16, 2020
FEATURE – In this compelling read, the author explains how “centerlining” tools and settings can reduce variation in a process and avoid having to constantly seek adjustments à la McGyver.
Safari, so good
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Case studiesNov 14, 2019
CASE STUDY – This company in Botswana has embraced lean thinking passionately to build the capacity and ability to deal with higher demand for its converted vehicles. The author tells us about their journey.
The gateway to success
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FeaturesNov 11, 2019
NOTES FROM THE GEMBA – By introducing flow in its processes and transforming its approach to managing the business, this French manufacturer of fences and gates is building a competitive advantage.
A Norwegian lean epic
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Case studiesJul 18, 2019
CASE STUDY – Thousands of kaizens, a relentless focus on learning and the determination to continuously improve have made of this Norwegian company something of a lean fairytale.
Cancelling the distance
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Case studiesJul 16, 2019
CASE STUDY – What to do when you operate in a competitive market and are located in a remote corner of Europe, thousands of miles from your customer? One word: lean.
Learning at takt time in Thales
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InterviewsJun 11, 2019
INTERVIEW – A former VP of Operations from Thales tells Catherine Chabiron how he and his team turned around their department by committing to lean thinking and focusing on people development every day.
What a good supermarket looks like
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FeaturesApr 4, 2019
THE NAKED GEMBA – Our new series goes back to basics to unlock the secrets of the gemba and tell us about some of the main tools and techniques we can use in a lean transformation. First up, supermarkets.
Flexible by design
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Interesting contamination exists here with improvement approaches like Lean Startup and Design for Manufacturing."
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Case studiesMar 12, 2019
FEATURE – By leveraging lean product and process development principles, Nichirin Spain is becoming more flexible managing last-minute changes in product design requested by customers.
Quality by kaikaku
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Case studiesDec 13, 2018
CASE STUDY – This Turkish producer of sanitaryware has boosted its quality so dramatically it’s now a player in the German market. It did so by bringing drastic change to its production system.
Metrics matter
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InterviewsOct 5, 2018
INTERVIEW – In this thought-provoking conversation, Michael Ballé and Mark Graban discuss metrics and the managerial attitude towards tracking them.
Pulling it off
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Case studiesOct 3, 2018
CASE STUDY – A Turkish producer of gas valves for kitchen appliances has discovered the power of the lean principles of pull and flow, reaching results beyond its imagination.
Small batches and clever use of space for great flexibility
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InterviewsMay 9, 2018
THE LEAN BAKERY – In this episode of our video series, we visit 365's super-lean workshop, where small batches and a clever use of space allow for unprecedented levels of flexibility in manufacture.
What this leader has learned in 40 years at Toyota Australia
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ProfilesMay 2, 2018
PROFILE – What does one learn from working for Toyota over 40 years? This Australian leader has developed a unique holistic view, and a strong set of technical and social skills.
Our editor sits down with lean farmer Ben Hartman
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InterviewsApr 25, 2018
INTERVIEW – Ben Hartman has used lean in his micro-farm in Indiana for six years. Not only did he find in it a way to support his family doing what he loves, he might have also discovered how to transform our food system.
How we grew using less resources than ever before
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InterviewsApr 18, 2018
THE LEAN BAKERY – In the fourth episode in our video series, the CEO of 365 explains how lean showed him that his business could grow (exponentially) without using any extra resources.
Michael Ballé’s short guide to successfully using SMED
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FeaturesApr 16, 2018
THE TOOLS CORNER – For the second article in our new series, the author offers a guide to the origins and use of one of lean's most important tools: SMED.