It’s easy to find ways for humans to trim down and become lean but what ways are available when it’s a manufacture that is trying to become “lean.” One way to start is by slimming down the production process which will in turn help to reduce manufacturing costs.

To become lean manufactures need to begin by tracking, identifying and reducing losses in various areas of their processes. These areas begin with downtime, quality and speed to name a few. It is wise for manufactures to look at areas which are commonly known to have high loss such as during setup time, unscheduled equipment downtime, defects, reworking, excess inventory, unnecessary waiting and handling periods.

So where do we begin to track these production losses so that they can be properly addressed? Start with finding a system that is web-based. These systems allow for anytime access to data and allow for real time data updates to keep organizations on top of their processes. Manufactures will have the capability of accessing information from anywhere a browser is available which will allow for accurate updates and system analysis. Web-based systems allow for easy data entry and immediate updates to the system.

Additionally, some systems that are developed allow for the tracking and corrective actions which are associated with losses. These can be viewable through graphs, charts and reports. When looking for organizations which offer production loss systems, look for OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) and organizations which can tailor these systems to your specific needs and requirements. This will help your organization run more efficiently.

Cambridge Manufacturing Journals


Manufacturing.gov