More in Lean / Six-Sigma

Nov. 12, 2012

Article

5 Ways to Boost Your Line's Performance -- Right Now

Design your factory for optimum performance by specifying, and then regularly recognizing and rewarding, the behaviour that produces the outcomes you want....More
Nov. 5, 2012

Commentary

Three Ways Manufacturing Leaders Can Build Momentum Across an Organization

U.S. manufacturing is growing again. It’s in your hands to keep it that way....More
Oct. 25, 2012

Commentary

Five Rules for Selecting the Best KPIs to Drive Operational Improvement

The key to success is selecting KPIs that will deliver long-term value to the organization....More
Oct. 17, 2012

Article

IndustryWeek

The Lean CEO Effect

Legendary lean practitioner Art Byrne says he didn't have to accept excuses from employees when he requested dramatic improvements on the plant floor. That's because Byrne had become a "lean expert" and knew what type of changes were possible....More
Oct. 17, 2012

Article

IndustryWeek

Supply Chain and Logistics: Lean Six Sigma Keeps Cardinal's Supply Chain Healthy

Over the past 30 years, the percentage of the U.S. GDP devoted to logistics costs has dropped from 17.9% in 1980 to 8.3% in 2011. It's a far different story for U.S. health care costs, which have soared from 9.0% of the GDP to 17.6%....More
Oct. 17, 2012

Commentary

Lessons from the Road: The Leader's Role as Coach

Coaching deserves careful thought and practice. Here are some specific opportunities to improve our daily coaching efforts....More
Oct. 16, 2012

News

IndustryWeek

Pros and Cons of Making the Leap from Manufacturing Manager to Consultant

Before launching a career in consulting, consider the time away from family and other sacrifices that have to be made, but also consider the potential rewards....More
Oct. 16, 2012

Commentary

An Elegant Solution Is Only the Beginning

The goal of improvement and change should look beyond immediate problem resolution. The focus should include actions designed to sustain performance improvement and anchor change as a new opportunity....More
Sep. 25, 2012

Commentary

Fear the Turtle

Why a symbol of continuous improvement proves so important....More
Sep. 25, 2012

Commentary

Material Management in a High-Mix Production Environment: Four Questions that Identify a Lean Operation

With better materials management, it is possible to show significant cost reduction, enhance delivery schedules and increase customer satisfaction....More
Sep. 24, 2012

Commentary

'Why We Have Lead-Times, as Explained by the TSA'

As a consultant in supply chain management, I travel a lot. One of the joys of modern travel is going through airport security. As you may have noticed, getting through security is not always the fastest thing to do. As I wait in those lines, wondering if I am going to miss my flight, I can't help but fantasize about... material lead-time....More
Sep. 18, 2012

Commentary

Does Your Business Have the Maturity of a Teen-ager?

The answer may determine the success of your lean implementation. If it is ‘yes,’ what are you prepared to do?...More
Sep. 12, 2012

Article

IndustryWeek

2012 IndustryWeek's Best Plants Finalists Named

Their finalist selections are based on strong manufacturing performances as well as a comprehensive focus on continuous improvement....More
Sep. 11, 2012

Article

IndustryWeek

At Otis Technology, Automation Boosts Lean Efforts

Autonomous mobile robots are freeing up time for Otis Technology employees to make product rather than spend it in search of materials. They also illustrate one way in which automation is aiding the manufacturer’s lean journey....More
Sep. 4, 2012

Commentary

Lean Manufacturing Mindset Means Continuous Innovation at Boeing

The company's success at constantly improving its manufacturing processes eliminates 34 days of airplane-assembly time -- and helps Boeing thrive in a highly competitive industry....More
Sep. 4, 2012

Commentary

Does Your Lean Facility Have a ‘First Line of Defense’?

It’s a discomforting thought, but by inadvertently purchasing the wrong materials for your processes you may be opening up your facility to potential noncompliance fines, shutdowns, and other complications without even knowing it. A seemingly safe material could turn out to be a Trojan horse, costing you far more than you expect....More
Aug. 28, 2012

Commentary

The First Rule of Lean Culture Change

It doesn’t start until somebody does something differently. And it doesn’t stick until nearly everybody is doing something differently....More
Aug. 21, 2012

Commentary

Six Easy Criteria for Targeting a Good Process

The key is to continuously drive improvement in the process to advance its maturity and better deliver product to customers....More
Aug. 16, 2012

News

IndustryWeek

Manufacturing Strategy Plays a Key Role in GM's Revival

'In many ways, the manufacturing strategy is helping us redefine and reinvent how we do business in General Motors,' said Scott Whybrew, GM's executive director of global manufacturing engineering....More
Aug. 15, 2012

Article

2013 IW Best Plants Conference: Call For Speakers

IndustryWeek is inviting speakers to submit proposals for the 2012 IW Best Plants conference....More
Aug. 15, 2012

Article

IndustryWeek

World Class Manufacturing is Chrysler's Universal Language

Mauro Pino is fluent in World Class Manufacturing -- the continuous-improvement system that’s driving success at Chrysler....More
Aug. 14, 2012

Commentary

Decisions about Making Decisions 1

There is much advice in the business world, and beyond, about improving decision making. It is broad and complex, and tackling the challenge is much like taking on culture change. But what specifically can lean teach us about decision-making?...More
Jul. 31, 2012

Commentary

Are Your Supervisors the Biggest Barrier to Your Lean Efforts? 1

Your supervisors, over the years, have probably learned some behaviors that don’t fit well with lean practices. A more pointed way of saying that is, you’ve taught your supervisors behaviors that don’t fit well with lean practices....More
Jul. 26, 2012

video

IW Best Plants Conference 2012 Special Event at Lucas Oil Stadium: Jumbotron Footage

After a long day of learning at the conference, attendees took over the field -- having their pictures taken with the Lombardi trophy, touring the Colts locker room, kicking field goals, throwing passes, and enjoying a live band....More
Jul. 25, 2012

Article

IndustryWeek

Making the Leap from Manufacturing Manager to Consultant

When Chevron Corp. in early 1990 told Lonnie Wilson that he was being transferred from El Paso, Texas -- where Wilson was the technical manager of a Chevron refinery -- Wilson decided to retire and start his own consulting practice. For those following in his footsteps, though, Wilson recommends doing things a bit differently than he did. "I did not have a desk. I did not have a client. I did not have a piece of letterhead," Wilson recalls. "All I had was an idea of what I wanted to do, and the fact that I didn't want to leave El Paso."...More