As a large manufacturer, can you simultaneously maximize productivity while minimizing a negative impact on the environment? With lean manufacturing processes, you can do just that. It’s a whole process to improve your processes, so let’s take a look at what this may entail:
Look at waste
As a company in the manufacturing world, waste is probably something that does happen a lot with your processes. A cornerstone of the lean manufacturing concept is minimizing waste wherever possible. This may look like doing better testing on products (with an accelerated aging calculator) and also how those products perform with shipping practices that could be better for the environment.
Essentially, better lean manufacturing practices will involve taking a good look at areas where unnecessary practices, methods, or products are being used that don’t benefit your company and actually minimize productivity.
Look at value
At the end of the day, your end goal is primarily about the value being offered to your customers. By eliminating the unnecessary, both in product and processes, you can create procedures and results that are high value, as well as efficient and timely results, which end up promising more customer satisfaction. Looking at value isn’t only about the final product but should be considered throughout each aspect of manufacturing. Does each process bring the kind of value that you’re shooting for as a company?
Save time
When you look at both waste and value within your manufacturing process, you can find that many of the procedures are time-consuming and can impact the delivery time of your product. When you revisit the best way to provide value to your company and customers, you may find that there are better options for streamlining processes so that everything gets done quickly and efficiently.
You may need to look into smart systems or automation in some cases, where you can eliminate human error and ensure a faster turnaround. With the advancement of technology, so many practices that used to require time-consuming processes are now finished in the click of a button or two, so if you’re looking for more value and less time waste, look at how you can use technology to improve your efforts.
Save energy
Any brand that is looking into lean manufacturing knows that saving energy is a big benefit for sustainability, AKA, our environment. If your manufacturing processes result in high emissions and add to your carbon footprint, consider how beneficial it could be to incorporate new systems that help you save energy as a manufacturing plant.
See if solar power can work for your company or consider how wind energy could be useful in your location. Even if it doesn’t seem like a lot, any way you can reduce your carbon footprint, the better it will be for you as you seek lean manufacturing and more productivity. If you can improve your energy systems without cutting down on efficiency you can manufacture your products, then you’ll be increasing value while eliminating waste and your impact on the environment.
Improve workflow
If you strive to improve workflow in your company, then you can improve everything from money saved to productivity. Improving workflow will look different for each company, but if you’re a manufacturing business, it may look like automating procedures that take up a lot of time and manpower. It may look like incorporating software to streamline processes or could be the use of AI to cut back on the use of human effort that could result in human error, which leads to waste and a decrease in value.
In Conclusion
Lean manufacturing is becoming more and more important for companies around the nation and even the world. Doing good for the environment is becoming something that is also saving money and time for manufacturers while increasing value for consumers. Take a look at the best ways to improve productivity for your company in your specific industry.
