If you haven’t heard about lean manufacturing before, you’ll want to continue reading to learn more about it. This particular method was developed in the 1970s by Motorola as a way to improve manufacturing processes and make them more efficient. Lean manufacturing helps eliminate wastes by eliminating non-value-added steps and reducing the number of items that are considered non-productive. For example, it’s perfectly fine for an employee who doesn’t fill out an application form to be sent home from work. This isn’t a necessary step and shouldn’t be an item on the production order sheet.
Lean manufacturing works on reducing wastes in every aspect of the manufacturing process. In addition to streamlining processes, it also requires that materials and components are used in the most efficient manner possible. There’s no waste of money or resources; there’s only quality work done that results in a product that meets or exceeds the customer’s requirements. In order to be successful, this is a multi-faceted process that takes on several forms. It requires careful management, a well-trained staff, and accurate data tracking.
Six Sigma is now a part of the toolbox of most large companies. Most large corporations utilize a variation of Six Sigma when developing their process improvement program. Six Sigma is so effective because it drives improvement in every area of the business. It increases productivity, reduces waste, and improves service levels. Six sigma black belt lean manufacturing techniques can be implemented when planning, manufacturing, production, sales, and service.
Six Sigma is a very data-oriented process. It strives to eliminate non-value-added steps and improve processes that don’t add value to the company’s bottom line. Six Sigma strives to build tools and processes that allow a company to focus on what they do best – producing products – while cutting waste, errors, and un-needed actions. The result is a process that is lean, but is still capable of producing high quality products that meet client needs and exceed expected delivery dates.
Most industries are now using Six Sigma as part of their improvement programs for a variety of reasons. Six Sigma black belt lean manufacturing processes can reduce cycle times, improve productivity and increase profit levels, improve service levels, and improve quality. This results in an improvement in customer satisfaction as well. Six Sigma processes can be applied to almost any type of manufacturing operation including building construction, automotive, marine, food processing, and chemicals. In addition, Six Sigma has been successfully applied to manufacturing operations in the United States, which demonstrates the system’s ability to scale successfully.
Six Sigma is being used more by the United States military as it seeks to reduce expenditures and improve service standards. The United Kingdom’s National Audit Office is currently examining whether lean manufacturing principles are being used to streamline their public services and reduce redundancy. The government of Singapore is implementing the Six Sigma methodology in their procurement activities. In these instances, the improvements made by Six Sigma have led to improvements in the overall performance of the departments that employed the methodology.
Six Sigma is an excellent investment in the long-term sustainability of any organization. It combines the core strengths of lean manufacturing with quality improvement processes to create measurable, tangible results. When properly implemented, Six Sigma will build a team of highly skilled and motivated employees dedicated to continuous improvement. This will lead to higher profits and, ultimately, increased customer satisfaction.