Home > Resources > Articles > Three Business Examples That Effectively Practice Lean Manufacturing

Three Business Examples That Effectively Practice Lean Manufacturing

Bhagyashri Kambale | December 13, 2021 | 837 views
EFFECTIVELY PRACTICE LEAN MANUFACTURING
Lean manufacturing principles enable manufacturing businesses to achieve spectacular results and overhaul their conventional operations. A wide range of industries have adopted lean manufacturing because of its enormous advantages, and they have seen excellent results as a result.

The 2010 Compensation Data Manufacturing survey indicated that 69.7% of manufacturing organizations employ lean manufacturing principles. By consuming this data, we can understand how far organizations have progressed toward incorporating lean principles into their operations.

“Many companies are not willing to change or think they are done once they make a change. But the truth is technology, consumer demands; the way we work, human needs, and much more are constantly changing.”

–Michael Walton, Director, Manufacturing Industry Executive at Microsoft

Let's look at some examples of lean manufacturing from some well-known companies. These leading-edge examples of lean manufacturing will shed light on how lean principles positively affect.

Leading Companies Using Lean Manufacturing Effectively

Successful manufacturing businesses like Toyota, Nike, and Caterpillar are currently employing lean manufacturing ideas in their production processes. In addition, Intel, Parker Hannifin, and John Deere embrace these techniques. From them, we've described three different organizations in various sectors that are successfully adopting lean manufacturing.


JOHN DEERE

John Deere has also implemented a lean manufacturing strategy. As a result, many of their quality control procedures are automated, which means that more components can be checked for flaws in less time. This means that more supply can be released each day, and the product can be supplied at a lower price to the consumer.

Additionally, these controls monitor the manufacturing process for each component of their products, ensuring that they never manufacture more than is required and waste essential materials in the process.


INTEL

Intel, known for its computer processors, has used lean manufacturing techniques to provide a higher quality product for an industry that requires zero defects. In the past, it took more than three months to get a microprocessor to the manufacturer, but this principle has helped shorten that time to less than ten days.

Intel rapidly learned that creating more but worse quality was not the way to raise revenues and increase consumer satisfaction with its products, which were extremely precise and technical. Instead, both parties gain from quality control and waste reduction initiatives. This is even true in the tech industry, where goods are constantly changed and upgraded.

TOYOTA

Toyota, the world's largest automaker, was the first to implement lean manufacturing in its manufacturing operations. But, even more importantly, they've learned how to limit products that don't match customer expectations by eliminating waste. To achieve these goals, Toyota employs two essential procedures.

The first is a method known as Jidoka, which loosely translates as "automation with the assistance of humans." This implies that, although some of the work is automated, humans always ensure that the result is of the highest quality.

When something goes wrong, the machines have built-in programs that allow them to shut themselves down. Known as the Just In Time (JIT) model, this is the second stage. Once the last part of a process has been finished, the next phase can begin. No unnecessary work will be done if there is a problem with the assembly line. This lean manufacturing technique has inspired thousands of other businesses.

Final Words

Lean manufacturing principles and their execution require discipline and patience to get the results out of them. When we see the successful lean manufacturing examples, it is not a fraction of a second success. They have devoted their time, energy, and efforts to modifying every single operational process in order to become a part of lean manufacturing. Lean manufacturing is not a method; it is a way of life that transforms your business practices and takes your firm to a new level of operations. Gain insights from renowned organizations' lean manufacturing success stories to help you become a part of the lean companies of 2022.

 

FAQ


What is the effect of lean manufacturing?

Lean is a performance-based, continuous-improvement strategy that removes waste and unnecessary processes from organizational operations. As a result, your company becomes more focused on the results.


Is it possible for lean manufacturing to fail?

It is conceivable in some circumstances, such as failing to focus on a single system implementation or implementing too many system changes at once and failing to have a sound follow-up system to check that everything is working effectively.


Why do certain businesses struggle with lean manufacturing?

Most businesses fail to see that lean is a management philosophy, not a set of tools. As a result, most corporate leaders either don't understand or lack the patience and control to implement lean manufacturing.

Spotlight

Electronic Technologies International, Inc.

Electronic Technologies International, Inc. (ETI) and its subsidiary, American Cable & Harness LLC (ACH) are ISO 9001:2008 Certified contract manufacturers of printed circuit boards, wire/cable harnesses, and box builds. ETI and ACH are located in Fort Atkinson, WI and serve customers in medical, telecom, industrial, wireless, and commercial industries in the midwest and throughout North America.

OTHER ARTICLES

Achieving Interoperability in an Industry 4.0 Factory

Article | February 11, 2020

As a part of the Industry 4.0 movement, factory engineers are increasingly adopting some form of industrial Ethernet to interconnect the machines and other equipment implementing their production processes. Ethernet has been around in multiple forms for over 40 years. Most of it serves the IT community by interconnecting PCs and other equipment to a company LAN. Because of its flexibility, Ethernet has been adapted to many industrial uses.

Read More

The Impact of Coronavirus on Electronic Manufacturing

Article | February 11, 2020

Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, is considered a crucial hub in the middle of China, a place of high importance for the production of automobiles, electronics, optics, and fiber optics. Wuhan and surrounding cities in the Hubei province are currently on a government-imposed quarantine at a scale the world has never seen before, some Chinese officials have referred to the situation as warlike.

Read More

Digitalizing Your Manufacturing Ecosystem

Article | February 10, 2020

Making digitalization work for you requires an understanding of your manufacturing ecosystem. Standards - such as ISA-95 - only guide you on a journey to more deeply comprehend the workings of your unique process for manufacturing your products. A batch manufacturing ecosystem often includes campaign management. Campaign management is not mentioned in ISA-95, which only speaks generally of order processing.

Read More

4 Food and Beverage Manufacturing Trends on Tap for 2020

Article | February 10, 2020

It’s the food and beverage industry’s job to appeal to consumer tastes by keeping tabs on what’s hot and what’s not. In the 1990s, for instance, fat free or reduced fat was all the rage, evidenced by the variety of products with such descriptions featured in bold typeface on cartons, cardboard and boxes. Fast forward to today, thanks in part to advancements in nutrition science, fat is back and is recommended in low-carb diets such as Atkins and Keto.

Read More

Achieving Interoperability in an Industry 4.0 Factory

Article | February 11, 2020

As a part of the Industry 4.0 movement, factory engineers are increasingly adopting some form of industrial Ethernet to interconnect the machines and other equipment implementing their production processes. Ethernet has been around in multiple forms for over 40 years. Most of it serves the IT community by interconnecting PCs and other equipment to a company LAN. Because of its flexibility, Ethernet has been adapted to many industrial uses.

Read More

The Impact of Coronavirus on Electronic Manufacturing

Article | February 11, 2020

Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, is considered a crucial hub in the middle of China, a place of high importance for the production of automobiles, electronics, optics, and fiber optics. Wuhan and surrounding cities in the Hubei province are currently on a government-imposed quarantine at a scale the world has never seen before, some Chinese officials have referred to the situation as warlike.

Read More

Digitalizing Your Manufacturing Ecosystem

Article | February 10, 2020

Making digitalization work for you requires an understanding of your manufacturing ecosystem. Standards - such as ISA-95 - only guide you on a journey to more deeply comprehend the workings of your unique process for manufacturing your products. A batch manufacturing ecosystem often includes campaign management. Campaign management is not mentioned in ISA-95, which only speaks generally of order processing.

Read More

4 Food and Beverage Manufacturing Trends on Tap for 2020

Article | February 10, 2020

It’s the food and beverage industry’s job to appeal to consumer tastes by keeping tabs on what’s hot and what’s not. In the 1990s, for instance, fat free or reduced fat was all the rage, evidenced by the variety of products with such descriptions featured in bold typeface on cartons, cardboard and boxes. Fast forward to today, thanks in part to advancements in nutrition science, fat is back and is recommended in low-carb diets such as Atkins and Keto.

Read More
MORE ARTICLE

Spotlight

Electronic Technologies International, Inc.

Electronic Technologies International, Inc. (ETI) and its subsidiary, American Cable & Harness LLC (ACH) are ISO 9001:2008 Certified contract manufacturers of printed circuit boards, wire/cable harnesses, and box builds. ETI and ACH are located in Fort Atkinson, WI and serve customers in medical, telecom, industrial, wireless, and commercial industries in the midwest and throughout North America.

Related News

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY,DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION,ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION

Allied Electronics & Automation Provides Industrial Control Solutions in North America

Allied Electronics & Automation | January 24, 2023

Allied Electronics & Automation is the largest authorized distributor of industrial control equipment in North America, offering over 197,000 products optimized for industrial control systems. It is a trading brand of RS Group plc, a global omni-channel product and service solutions provider. Industrial control systems (ICS) are systems, devices, networks, and controls used to electronically operate or automate industrial processes in public utilities, manufacturing, chemical and petrochemical, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, automotive, and transportation industries. System sizes can range from a few modular controllers to massive control systems with thousands of field connections. Allied supports the distinct needs of different ICS with a wide range of industrial control products and a highly experienced, reliable, and responsive technical staff committed to helping customers find the right solutions for their systems. Allied provides cable entry and exit solutions for industrial control cabinets, including ILME rectangular connectors and Mencom cable gland adapters. These solutions allow for secure wiring connections with contactors inside the cabinet (available from suppliers such as Joslyn Clark) and support high-precision machinery and equipment outside the cabinet, including linear motion technology from suppliers that include SCHNEEBERGER. Allied's industrial control solutions include contactors, control stations, controllers, disconnect switches, electric linear actuators, electronic and mechanical counters, inductive signal couplers, machine guarding and machine safety equipment, mechanical power transmission equipment, panel meters, power outlets, power transfer switches, robots, signal conditioning and converter devices, slip rings, solenoids, and timers. About Allied Electronics & Automation Allied Electronics & Automation is a trading name of RS Group plc, a leading global omni-channel industrial product and service solutions supplier to customers developing, building, and maintaining industrial equipment and operations safely and sustainably. The company ships roughly 60,000 shipments daily through numerous methods to 32 countries. It assists customers throughout the product life cycle through innovation and technical support during the design phase, improved time to market and productivity during the build phase, or reduced purchasing costs and inventory optimization during the maintenance phase. The company provides customers with customized product and service offerings that are critical to the success of their businesses and help them save time and money.

Read More

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Infinite Electronics, Inc., Announces the Acquisition of Bulgin

Infinite Electronics, Inc. | January 20, 2023

On January 19, 2023, Infinite Electronics, Inc., the leading global supplier of electronic components, announced the acquisition of Bulgin Ltd, a UK-based developer and manufacturer of connectors and related components for harsh-environment applications. Equistone Partners Europe, a renowned European mid-market private equity firm, was the previous owner of Bulgin. Bulgin has over a century of expertise designing, developing, and producing IP66, IP67, IP68, and IP69K severe environment connectivity solutions for customers in various industries. Bulgin is focused on bespoke services and custom capabilities, as well as fast prototyping and a Rapid Response Team (RRT) to meet customers' urgent needs. Since Equistone acquired the company in 2019, Bulgin has expanded dramatically, opening a new site in Tunis, Tunisia, as well as new headquarters in Cambridge, UK. Bulgin has over 600 distributor locations across 60 countries and six continents. It employs 680 people worldwide, including its headquarters in the United Kingdom, businesses in Tunisia and Santa Fe Springs, California, as well as a foothold in the Asia-Pacific region. This acquisition expands Infinite Electronics' presence in Europe. It follows the company's announcement of entering a definitive agreement to acquire Cable Connectivity Group (CCG) from Torqx Capital Partners and TKH Group NV, a leading producer and distributor of specialty cables and cable connectivity solutions. These acquisitions are prominent milestones in Infinite Electronics' six-year rapid growth. These slew of acquisitions are the latest milestones in Infinite Electronics' aggressive expansion over the last six years. About Infinite Electronics, Inc. Based in Irvine, California, Infinite Electronics is a leading global electrical component supplier, meeting engineers' urgent needs through a family of well-known and trusted brands. It offers a diverse range of components, assemblies, and wired/wireless connectivity solutions and serves the aerospace/defense, industrial, government, consumer electronics, instrumentation, medical and telecommunications markets. Infinite's brands include Pasternack, Fairview Microwave, L-com, MilesTek, Aiconics, KP Performance Antennas, PolyPhaser, Transtector, RadioWaves, ShowMe Cables, Integra Optics, INC Installs and NavePoint. By working quickly to supply goods, solutions, and real-time support to its clients, its brands help move the world's innovators forward.

Read More

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY, DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Rootstock Software Named Most Promising Salesforce Service Provider for its Manufacturing ERP Solution

Rootstock Software | January 27, 2023

Rootstock Software has been awarded "Most Promising Salesforce Service Provider" by CIOReview for its manufacturing ERP on the Salesforce Platform. The platform offers precise control over operational areas such as engineering, production, supply chain, and inventory and helps manufacturers adapt to challenges in the post-pandemic era. This award shows that Rootstock Software is serious about giving manufacturers solutions that help them become more flexible and quick. Rootstock's ERP is native to Salesforce, allowing organizations to benefit from its ability to plug-and-play with other enterprise and point solutions. The platform offers features such as Salesforce Lightning, Einstein AI, and natural language processing and is specifically designed for manufacturers, distributors, and supply chain organizations. Rootstock Software has shown with this award that it is committed to giving manufacturers modern enterprise solutions that are made to fit their needs. David Stephans, CEO of Rootstock Software, said, “By using Salesforce at the frontend and Rootstock at the backend, manufacturers can truly transform their operations for the post-pandemic era.” (Source - Businesswire) Rootstock's team brings decades of manufacturing and ERP experience to help customers succeed. Rootstock Software is a leader in the Gartner 2020 Magic Quadrant for Cloud Core Financial Management Suites for Midsize, Large, and Global Enterprises because of how hard it works. About Rootstock Software Rootstock Software is a company that makes and uses cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP) software to help manufacturers and distributors build operations that can grow, offer personalized, 360-degree customer experiences, and provide better service than their competitors. Their cloud ERP solution, Rootstock, is natively built on the Salesforce Platform and offers a suite of modules including order management, manufacturing operations, supply chain management, and financial management. Rootstock is ranked as a leader in the ERP Value Matrix by industry analysts and has vertical expertise in discrete manufacturing, medical devices, and high-tech verticals. The people who work for the company work with customers as trusted advisors to bring about change and transformation. Rootstock continues to grow and expand its offerings.

Read More

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY,DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION,ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION

Allied Electronics & Automation Provides Industrial Control Solutions in North America

Allied Electronics & Automation | January 24, 2023

Allied Electronics & Automation is the largest authorized distributor of industrial control equipment in North America, offering over 197,000 products optimized for industrial control systems. It is a trading brand of RS Group plc, a global omni-channel product and service solutions provider. Industrial control systems (ICS) are systems, devices, networks, and controls used to electronically operate or automate industrial processes in public utilities, manufacturing, chemical and petrochemical, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, automotive, and transportation industries. System sizes can range from a few modular controllers to massive control systems with thousands of field connections. Allied supports the distinct needs of different ICS with a wide range of industrial control products and a highly experienced, reliable, and responsive technical staff committed to helping customers find the right solutions for their systems. Allied provides cable entry and exit solutions for industrial control cabinets, including ILME rectangular connectors and Mencom cable gland adapters. These solutions allow for secure wiring connections with contactors inside the cabinet (available from suppliers such as Joslyn Clark) and support high-precision machinery and equipment outside the cabinet, including linear motion technology from suppliers that include SCHNEEBERGER. Allied's industrial control solutions include contactors, control stations, controllers, disconnect switches, electric linear actuators, electronic and mechanical counters, inductive signal couplers, machine guarding and machine safety equipment, mechanical power transmission equipment, panel meters, power outlets, power transfer switches, robots, signal conditioning and converter devices, slip rings, solenoids, and timers. About Allied Electronics & Automation Allied Electronics & Automation is a trading name of RS Group plc, a leading global omni-channel industrial product and service solutions supplier to customers developing, building, and maintaining industrial equipment and operations safely and sustainably. The company ships roughly 60,000 shipments daily through numerous methods to 32 countries. It assists customers throughout the product life cycle through innovation and technical support during the design phase, improved time to market and productivity during the build phase, or reduced purchasing costs and inventory optimization during the maintenance phase. The company provides customers with customized product and service offerings that are critical to the success of their businesses and help them save time and money.

Read More

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Infinite Electronics, Inc., Announces the Acquisition of Bulgin

Infinite Electronics, Inc. | January 20, 2023

On January 19, 2023, Infinite Electronics, Inc., the leading global supplier of electronic components, announced the acquisition of Bulgin Ltd, a UK-based developer and manufacturer of connectors and related components for harsh-environment applications. Equistone Partners Europe, a renowned European mid-market private equity firm, was the previous owner of Bulgin. Bulgin has over a century of expertise designing, developing, and producing IP66, IP67, IP68, and IP69K severe environment connectivity solutions for customers in various industries. Bulgin is focused on bespoke services and custom capabilities, as well as fast prototyping and a Rapid Response Team (RRT) to meet customers' urgent needs. Since Equistone acquired the company in 2019, Bulgin has expanded dramatically, opening a new site in Tunis, Tunisia, as well as new headquarters in Cambridge, UK. Bulgin has over 600 distributor locations across 60 countries and six continents. It employs 680 people worldwide, including its headquarters in the United Kingdom, businesses in Tunisia and Santa Fe Springs, California, as well as a foothold in the Asia-Pacific region. This acquisition expands Infinite Electronics' presence in Europe. It follows the company's announcement of entering a definitive agreement to acquire Cable Connectivity Group (CCG) from Torqx Capital Partners and TKH Group NV, a leading producer and distributor of specialty cables and cable connectivity solutions. These acquisitions are prominent milestones in Infinite Electronics' six-year rapid growth. These slew of acquisitions are the latest milestones in Infinite Electronics' aggressive expansion over the last six years. About Infinite Electronics, Inc. Based in Irvine, California, Infinite Electronics is a leading global electrical component supplier, meeting engineers' urgent needs through a family of well-known and trusted brands. It offers a diverse range of components, assemblies, and wired/wireless connectivity solutions and serves the aerospace/defense, industrial, government, consumer electronics, instrumentation, medical and telecommunications markets. Infinite's brands include Pasternack, Fairview Microwave, L-com, MilesTek, Aiconics, KP Performance Antennas, PolyPhaser, Transtector, RadioWaves, ShowMe Cables, Integra Optics, INC Installs and NavePoint. By working quickly to supply goods, solutions, and real-time support to its clients, its brands help move the world's innovators forward.

Read More

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY, DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Rootstock Software Named Most Promising Salesforce Service Provider for its Manufacturing ERP Solution

Rootstock Software | January 27, 2023

Rootstock Software has been awarded "Most Promising Salesforce Service Provider" by CIOReview for its manufacturing ERP on the Salesforce Platform. The platform offers precise control over operational areas such as engineering, production, supply chain, and inventory and helps manufacturers adapt to challenges in the post-pandemic era. This award shows that Rootstock Software is serious about giving manufacturers solutions that help them become more flexible and quick. Rootstock's ERP is native to Salesforce, allowing organizations to benefit from its ability to plug-and-play with other enterprise and point solutions. The platform offers features such as Salesforce Lightning, Einstein AI, and natural language processing and is specifically designed for manufacturers, distributors, and supply chain organizations. Rootstock Software has shown with this award that it is committed to giving manufacturers modern enterprise solutions that are made to fit their needs. David Stephans, CEO of Rootstock Software, said, “By using Salesforce at the frontend and Rootstock at the backend, manufacturers can truly transform their operations for the post-pandemic era.” (Source - Businesswire) Rootstock's team brings decades of manufacturing and ERP experience to help customers succeed. Rootstock Software is a leader in the Gartner 2020 Magic Quadrant for Cloud Core Financial Management Suites for Midsize, Large, and Global Enterprises because of how hard it works. About Rootstock Software Rootstock Software is a company that makes and uses cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP) software to help manufacturers and distributors build operations that can grow, offer personalized, 360-degree customer experiences, and provide better service than their competitors. Their cloud ERP solution, Rootstock, is natively built on the Salesforce Platform and offers a suite of modules including order management, manufacturing operations, supply chain management, and financial management. Rootstock is ranked as a leader in the ERP Value Matrix by industry analysts and has vertical expertise in discrete manufacturing, medical devices, and high-tech verticals. The people who work for the company work with customers as trusted advisors to bring about change and transformation. Rootstock continues to grow and expand its offerings.

Read More

Events