10.08.2012

What Differentiates a Lean Initiative in a High-Mix Environment?

Mike Elbert authored a great new book titled Lean Production for the Small Company, which explains how to adapt Lean initiatives for high-mix/low-volume environments. I recently spoke with Mike and asked him some questions, namely "What really differentiates a Lean initiative in a high-mix environment?" I'm including his complete response here:

Many people believe that Lean Production is only viable for large high volume producers -- those who produce few variations of their product. Lean concepts and methods, however, were actually developed by Toyota for their high-mix production environment. Companies such as machine shops, sheet metal shops, printing shops, and medium sized companies of all types with lots of different products or product variations with small production runs of each product are all good examples of a high-mix environment. What differentiates a high-mix environment from a low-mix environment is the number of product variations that must be produced all within a short period of time.

To implement lean into this type of environment takes some planning but can easily be done. Remember that flexibility on the production line is important and quick change over of machine tools, stamping dies, molding machines, printing machines, and assembly lines is essential. First, implement a program to reduce change over time of each machine or assembly line. Take a look at your current change over times and think carefully and brainstorm what you could do to reduce the time by 20%. Second, create a simple scheduling system for these machine and assembly areas. A scheduling system (as described in chapter 12 of Lean Production for the Small Company) using a simple visual display of removable production cards for each product will be very efficient, flexible and work very well.

Do any readers here work in high-mix, low-volume environments or job shops? What have been your experiences with Lean initiatives? What have been your main difficulties?

273 comments:

«Oldest   ‹Older   201 – 273 of 273
Unknown said...

Awesome work this is. Truly great. Thank you! how to last longer in bed

Unknown said...

What an awesome post this is. Truly one of the very best posts one will ever witness. Amazing! woodworking bench

Unknown said...

Excellent way of writing the article. Author is very well knowledgable and is very determined. He works very hard. Thanks alot. I’ll share this with my friends also.
read boost your bust book

Unknown said...

What a fantastic post this is. Simply awesome. Top class. Thanks a lot for this wonderful post! Geldscheinzaehler

Danish said...

Wow, what an awesome post. This is just one of those post that is worthy of reading a million times. I found these post very rarely nowadays. Thank you a lot. Tepperweinshop.net

Da Vinci Surgical System Lawsuit Blog said...

What else can I say? The guys ahead of me told you already about how cool and writeinesyour writings in here.

Unknown said...

What an awesome article! Just too damn good. Surfing through the internet and finding this article is really a bonus for me. Thanks! brazilian hair straightener

Unknown said...

Wow, what an awesome and wonderful article. Truly, you've helped me complete my project. Thank you! RV Parking

Danish said...

I am very much grateful to you for this article. All the information is covered very well and is very clear. The author has a excellent idea of how to write articles. Thanks alot. cleaning services johannesburg

Unknown said...

Very very good post. Just one of the best post I've seen. All information here is legit. Highly recommended post. Network Marketing

Danish said...

What an awesome and fantastic post. Truly wonderful. I really really like this post. It has provided me with enough information that I so desperately needed to complete my project. You don’t know how happy I am. And for that I may like to thank you a million! Richardson web design

Unknown said...

To be honest. I haven't seen a good post like this in a year now. And seeing this post now, ahh, it really pleasures me. Thanks a lot for this post. https://www.rebelmouse.com

Akmos17 said...

Very niec great so nice great!book availability

Akmos17 said...

Great Blog!! I want to read more of your blogs. express kurye

Unknown said...

This is a very good post. I like this post very much. It contains legit reference from real events that took place. You don't find these kinds of articles anymore. Only you find them here. ;) hosting, e-commerce tips

Unknown said...

A fantastic article this is. This article holds all the much-needed information that I needed to complete my project. There was a lot of stake if I didn't complete it. But thanks to this article, I can now successfully complete my project. Thank you! Eset NOD32 Fresh Username and Password

Unknown said...

This is a article. A article that is awesome and great! The result of this article is many people getting good grades in their projects. Keep it up! start a blog

Unknown said...

This is a very good post. I think this is one of those awesome post that comes along on the internet, only once or twice a year. Truly, awesome article! Building inspection

Unknown said...

Hi there. This is a very well-written article. Thank you a lot for giving information on this topic through this article. Cheers, mate. painting contractor

gamer123 said...

This post is just amazing! Way above any one's expectation! Very well written and executed. Keep up the good work author and show us your more talent. Thanks a lot.rebelmouse

gamer123 said...

What a great and lively post! Seriously this is one of the bost post of the century. Extremely well written and well maintained post. I am extremely thrilled by this site. Good job people.rebelmouse

Unknown said...

Well, it's settle. This post is just too good and one of the very best posts this is. Thank you, sir for letting us read this really important information through your article. Cheers, sir! get facebook likes

Unknown said...

A very nice post indeed. This post is just one of the best posts I've ever seen. Keep this good work up, man. May your article be blessed with more views. virgin brazilian hair for sale

GrabuFlo Lawsuit WebNode said...

This is a great concept for companies that are still starting. It shows that great management will also be able to produce great results.

Unknown said...

This is a very nice post, mate. I really love the way you've written in this article. It is just pure awesome. Keep it up, mate. very good details

Unknown said...

In 1989 I was guest curator the State of California History Museum in Sacramento for a show I created called “California Doll Artists Making History”. This show was to be the springboard for me to open my own gallery of toy makers and artisans work. This was before the internet and the concept that toys could be art was alien but I was determined. Life stepped in… gallery

Anonymous said...

Wow, this is really helpful. I am certain that many of the readers will benefit this. Thank you for sharing your ideas! da Vinci lawsuit blog

Unknown said...

This is one of the best post I've read since morning. Thanks a lot for this information. I am gratelly thankful to you. I will share this with my friends even. I really loved the love author has compiled all the information and then given it to us. Thanks a lot. h2oo2 barrier

Unknown said...

This is an awesome article. It compromises of every good thing that a very good article has. That is very hard to find in other articles. Thanks a lot for that. ovens

Unknown said...

This is the best article I've read so far. The author is very good in writing these types of articles. I am very thank ful to him. Please keep your post updated like this. Thanks. buy popcorn machine

Unknown said...

Jwan Desai: Personal Injury Lawyer TorontoZ. Jwan Desai completed her undergraduate degree in Law Ethics and Society from the University of Toronto in 2001. She went on to complete her law degree from the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law. Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Unknown said...

Hello, matie! How are you ? I just came here to tell you that this article is very nice. Keep up the good work, mate! 3xl fire suits

Unknown said...

'Sup, mate? What a totally ass-kicking post this is. It's just awesome that this article hold's so much unique informtion. Just keep this up! abayas online -

Unknown said...

Thank you sir for providing me with this article. This is truly a magnificent article. Just keep on doing these type of articles. And success and fame will be guaranteed. Cheers! kualalumpur

Unknown said...

Thanks for interesting post. I have a regard for the valuable information you offer in your articles. I really believe you will do much better in the future.
Oracle PCI Compliance Check Tool

best food in chicago said...

excellent blog.This is really very good article.Thanks for share us.
dining in chicago

carpet cleaning west midlands said...

This is really amazing article.It has no doubt that it is really unique article.

learn this here now dui lawyer orange county said...

Your post is so cool,...I appreciated your professional way of writing this post.

da Vinci Lawsuits blog said...

Great article. I agree with you that hysterectomy does not make you feel less like a woman. If it means saving your health from a certain disease, then hysterectomy is a life-saving solution.

Unknown said...

My husband and i ended up being peaceful Jordan managed to round up his homework using the precious recommendations he received from your very own blog. It's not at all simplistic to just possibly be making a gift of ideas which others may have been making money from. And now we take into account we have the writer to be grateful to because of that bombki choinkowe producent

Unknown said...

A lot of thanks for all your valuable work on this website. My mom takes pleasure in working on internet research and it's really simple to grasp why. All of us learn all about the compelling tactic you render simple suggestions on the website and therefore recommend contribution from other people on the subject so my princess has been studying a whole lot. Enjoy the rest of the new year. Your doing a tremendous job mieszkania gorzów

Unknown said...

I precisely desired to thank you very much once more. I do not know the things I might have handled without the entire strategies shared by you on my concern. It seemed to be the scary issue in my circumstances, but encountering the very professional form you managed the issue took me to weep over fulfillment chwyty gitarowe

Unknown said...

The most important explanations you made, the easy site menu, the relationships your site give support to promote - it's got most unbelievable, and it is facilitating our son and our family understand that content is pleasurable, and that is really vital. Many thanks for the whole lot nieruchomości łagów

Unknown said...

You undoubtedly surpassed my expectations. Thanks for supplying those good, safe, explanatory and even unique tips on that topic to Lizeth wypoczynek łagów

Unknown said...

You truly exceeded our desires. Many thanks for providing those invaluable, healthy, explanatory and in addition easy tips on this topic to Jane hiszpański gorzów

Unknown said...

These illustrations you have made, the straightforward site menu, the relationships you will make it easier to instill - it's got many incredible, and it's letting our son in addition to our family know that this theme is interesting, which is certainly very fundamental. Thank you for the whole thing skup aut warszawa

Unknown said...

You actually exceeded my desires. Many thanks for rendering those helpful, healthy, explanatory as well as cool tips about that topic to Sandra darmowe gry java

Unknown said...

You truly surpassed readers' expected results. I appreciate you for offering those useful, dependable, revealing and cool tips on this topic to Kate najlepsza muzyka

Unknown said...

The most important illustrations you have made, the simple blog navigation, the relationships you give support to create - it's got most impressive, and it's assisting our son and us feel that this idea is fun, and that's extraordinarily mandatory. Thanks for all the pieces wpadki

Unknown said...

My wife and i have been lucky Edward managed to carry out his basic research by way of the ideas he got out of your web page. It's not at all simplistic to simply be offering tips that many other people have been making money from. And now we realize we've got the blog owner to thank for that przewóz osób na lotniska

Unknown said...

Now i am thankful for your assistance as well as pray you really know what a powerful job you happen to be doing training the others through your web site. Most likely you have never encountered all of us forum playstation

Unknown said...

All of the explanations you made, the simple website navigation, the friendships you will help engender - it is everything fantastic, and it is leading our son and our family know that the topic is awesome, and that's rather fundamental. Thank you for all domki holenderskie

social lead freak discount said...

Thanks for sharing such inspiring experience. Great blog.

downtown san diego real estate said...

I just came across this, and love both your illustrations and writing in it! Funny and interesting... love it love it! Also, this particular post was awesome beyond words. I have a fixations with hipsters... I never quite understand what they are... and every time I feel I'm about to get it, I realize I really don't. lol But I feel that your post has clarified things immensely! downtown san diego real estate

Unknown said...

casino reviews is surely an at any time recognized all over the world sport, now roulette games activity on the web as attracted an even bigger viewers and its need from clients has elevated. betting sites supporters world in excess of be part of inside the on the web ladbrokes bingo online rooms to take pleasure in the game’s most conveniently

Tatli Tarifleri said...

What a great and lively post! Seriously this is one of the bost post of the century. Extremely well written and well maintained post. I am extremely thrilled by this site.
Tatli Tarifleri

have a peek here said...

I have no difficulty to understand what you have said, even though I am a novice. Keep the good work going by continue blogging new and entertaining posts.

visit our website said...

I've learn several excellent stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much effort you place to make any such magnificent.

Unknown said...

This is a very good post. I like this post very much. It has everything one would need to complete his ultimate project. Continue this amazing quality of your work.Read More

Anonymous said...

this is the post to my favorite muzik, you can hera my Music here shkarko muzik shqip

jim said...

The way that the shop fronts look and feel make a big difference in the way that the outside world perceives the shop. When you own a store you want to get as much business as possible and making sure that your shop fronts as appealing is extremely important. Below are a few ways you can ensure this.
couchtravels.com |

hwisetravel.com |

cmdenttravel.com |

thatgirltravel.com |

travel-kyouto.com |

traveltoward.com |

timetraveltoday.com |

yonsetravel.com |

good-travelinfo.com |

jomaritravel.com |

Unknown said...

This is a great tip particularly to those fresh to the blogosphere. Simple but very precise information… Thank you for sharing this one. http://www.computertechsupport247.com

olive oil for hair said...

Good read, and all this time I must say that the m fault I think you need to do. Me and my neighbor were preparing to do some research.

Anonymous said...

New condo launch, developers’ sales and VIP Discount.
New Launch Condo

8 Ball Pool Multiplayer Hack said...

Excellent Data, I really appreciated with it,
this is fine to read and invaluable professional potential, I really bookmark
it; it's actually Appreciation professional sharing about Social Media Agency.
I like it Visit here

Anonymous said...

Is this project still alive?
www.3ghomezone.com |

www.northtexasautoplex.com |

www.tabletpresseducation.com |

home-patubjai.com |

powertech-haiti.com |

Anonymous said...

i can only hope to have the excel god powers you now possess
http://www.comparethecollege.com |

http://www.tabletpresseducation.com |

www.ifakayaktour.com |

ahome4hope.com |

pennhomesde.com |

Anonymous said...

Hi Krishnan, that’s great! I’ve never cited Tolkein beofre but that fits perfectly in the case of ‘…but some of my best friends are’.
digitalpctech.com |

mrtechstreet.com |

3gathome |

cityimportedautos |

r2automation |

Friv said...

I just want to say that you have done a great work here.

Anonymous said...

It contains wonderful and helpful posts. I have read most of them and got a lot from them. To me, you are doing the great work.Canon Camera Repair

Unknown said...



Very awesome post , i am really impressed with it a lot

إعلانات مبوبة

مستعمل

Incallescortsmanchester said...

What a great and lovely blog post it is! Seriously this is one of the best post i ever read. Extremely well written and well maintained blog post. I am extremely thrilled by this best blog post by you .

Visit- http://www.incallescortsmanchester.co.uk/.

GED Diploma Online said...

Your working talent has been given by GOD is marvels. Superb work has been done by you in this site. You have made me your fan, I really like your blog that is so nice and I have a request for you just keep your work continue.

Visit: GED Diploma Online

«Oldest ‹Older   201 – 273 of 273   Newer› Newest»