Manufacturing involves producing products that meet consumer needs. The manufacturing industry produces different types of goods based on research, feedback, and the need of the hour. Any given manufacturing system follows a particular way of creating products with the help of people, tools, resources, and, most importantly, lean manufacturing principles.   

In addition to using other resources and systems, lean principles play a significant role. They help improve an already existing system to make the most out of them. Lean principles are practical and actionable and generate high value for manufacturing businesses. 

In this blog, we will talk about some chosen lean principles that are really helpful in simplifying and scaling a business process. Look at the below points to learn more. 

Lean manufacturing 

In the 1980s, Toyota brought the concept of lean manufacturing. The things that made them highly efficient are they were able to eliminate waste and followed a continuous improvement culture in the company. Many businesses wanted to learn more about this production system, such as the founders of the Lean Enterprise. 

Finally, in the mid-nineties, a book called “Lean Thinking: Banish and Create Wealth in Your Corporation” was published by Womack and Jones. This book is about helping corporations run a lean organization by reducing waste which is called lean manufacturing principles these days. 

The five lean manufacturing principles

1. Value 

The first lean principle talks about creating value for customers. It is about how a business can serve its customers with products or services they are looking for. This principle makes you think about why someone should buy from you. If you are unable to deliver valuable products, your existing customers can switch to others.  

2. Flow

As the name suggests, flow in lean is about how consistent you are with the creation and value stream. One needs to understand it in the right way. After all, when the system doesn’t work in the right way, the business can have waste in the form of lost time, additional movement, extra storage costs, and more. 

You must have improved flow to meet the growing needs and launch new products from time to time. 

3. Pull

There is a traditional Western approach to manufacturing products. It works on the system of forecasting. This means that the sales department tells about the number of products they can sell in a given time period. 

Based on the forecasts of the sales team, the management invests in raw materials and other things. But the problem is when there are more sales than expected. This finally affects profitability. 

Here comes the pull system that saves a business from this traditional system. It is about not producing anything in advance. 

4. Perfection 

Having perfection is one lean manufacturing principle that brings people new things. It is when businesses keep trying to improve themselves and bring further innovations. 

5. Value streams 

This lean principle is about a complete cycle of product or service. It involves everything from inception to the final stage. It brings an entire system of creating and delivering a product.  
That’s all. These are lean manufacturing principles a business can use to scale. In order to learn more about these principles, you can talk to a lean consultant at Lean Leaders Plus. Visit the website to book a call with an expert.