Lean manufacturing, lean process

When the term ‘Lean Manufacturing’ is mentioned, many will assume this applies exclusively to a setting with machinery, conveyer belts with sparks and steam flying through the air while components fly off the production line by the hand of a robotic operator.

In reality, it is used in almost every aspect of production and supply that the consumer world relies on to deliver its purchased goods.

Lean manufacturing is the methodology applied to drive efficiency in supply chains. This, in turn, should bring about a reduced cost to the supplier and consumer alike.

Industries from pharmaceuticals to fast food outlets use lean manufacturing to limit the amount of stock they hold at any one time, relying on a “just in time” delivery principle.

Petrol deliveries to forecourts in the UK in 2022 demonstrated that upsets in this process could create shortages for the end user.

Real-world events in recent history, like the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, have considerably interrupted this process. So what was relatively unknown before is now a frequently discussed topic at all levels of society due to the commonly shared experiences of lack of goods availability and their cost to the consumer.

Another little-known term, ‘Lean process’ or more commonly known as ‘Continuous improvement, is a method by which a process is constantly being scrutinised for opportunities to improve with a focus on planning and executing the proposed changes to allow for swift evolution and efficiency realisation.

Continuous improvement is typically employed for processes that are used by smaller teams and so brings maximum input as the team is usually the benefactor of the change in that scenario.

While affecting smaller teams, the practice is typically business-wide and so what is small in scope, grows in benefit to the company as it creates more streamlined activities with engaged and productive teams.

Skillnet provides access to apprenticeship courses for operators working in both Lean Manufacturing and Lean Improvement. These courses are designed to give each candidate the best preparation possible to develop their skillsets to bring tangible benefits to their employer from the start of their careers.

Visit our website today www.skillnet.training or call our specialist support team on 01923 630800