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Category Archives: lean manufacturing (8)

Traditional Lean?

Twice in the last month I’ve heard the phrase “Traditional Lean” used in public presentations. In neither case did the presenter explain the..
This entry was posted in old lean dude, TPS, lean manufacturing, six sigma, continuous improvement, GM, automation, MRP, toyota production system, lean sigma, ERP on May 31 , 2016.

Eye of the Beholder

Many moons ago when I was just getting started on my lean journey, I visited a large automotive supplier to benchmark pull systems. My own factory..
This entry was posted in old lean dude, TPS, lean manufacturing, kanban, GBMP, Toast Kaizen, kaizen, TPM, 5S, true north, poka-yoke, toyota production system, shigeo shingo, value stream mapping on May 20 , 2016.

Indefinite Postponement

Today’s post is inspired by the politically charged gobbledygook we call presidential primaries. This battle of principles turned battle of wills..
This entry was posted in old lean dude, lean manufacturing, GBMP, Toast Kaizen, kaizen, hoshin kanri, true north, toyota production system, shigeo shingo, value stream mapping on April 20 , 2016.

Ten Posts for Ten Shingo Principles

Hurrah! Today is the first day of Spring, if a little snowy, in the Boston area. And the 28th Annual Shingo Prize Conference is fast approaching in..
This entry was posted in old lean dude, lean manufacturing, GBMP, Toast Kaizen, Lean Principles, Shingo Institute, kaizen, shingo prize, bruce hamilton, toyota production system, Guiding Principles on March 21 , 2016.

Bump and Grind

Here’s a personal reflection from my distant past, but which might still be a current state for some of you. When I began working in manufacturing..
This entry was posted in old lean dude, lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, lean thinking, Deming, lean leadership, toyota production system, lead times on February 24 , 2016.

Ludicrous Speed

Mel Brooks fans will remember Spaceballs, his jocular jibe at the Star Wars epic. In pursuit of a rebel ship, evil Lord Dark Helmet (Rick Moranis)..
This entry was posted in old lean dude, kata, lean manufacturing, kanban, continuous improvement, GBMP, TPM, bruce hamilton, lean in healthcare, toyota production system on February 08 , 2016.

Another Use for Duct Tape

Here’s a post inspired by the glut of recent football weekends. Lou Holtz, the legendary college and pro football coach offers the following advice..
This entry was posted in old lean dude, lean manufacturing, six sigma, continuous improvement, Management Kaizen, Duct tape, kaizen, problem solving culture, toyota production system, gemba walk, Lean Culture on January 11 , 2016.

True North Pole

Many years ago a small expedition to the North Pole was funded by several American toy manufacturers, anxious to better understand how Santa’s..
This entry was posted in old lean dude, lean manufacturing, six sigma, continuous improvement, lean thinking, process, production, 7 wastes, true north, toyota production system on December 23 , 2015.

Lazy Lean Guy

In 1987, shortly after I became a manufacturing manager, the shop foreman at the time warned me about a young assembler: “Watch out for Michael, he’s..
This entry was posted in old lean dude, TPS, lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, Taiichi Ohno, Non-stock production, toyota production system, better faster cheaper easier, shigeo shingo on November 12 , 2015.

Burning Platform

A favorite Twilight Zone episode that played Labor Day weekend put me in mind of the stressful push production environment that many organizations..
This entry was posted in old lean dude, lean manufacturing, kanban, 7 wastes, overproduction, pull production, push production, shigeo shingo on September 22 , 2015.

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