Do we understand the lean philosophy? Is management walking the talk? We need to be coaches and scientists, constantly looking at how work is done and how we can correct problems. |
It's not just a method of educating operators but also of getting their input on the best way to do the work. Our next challenge is making cross-functional changes. It's easier to do lean in a self-contained plant or distribution-center, but truly dealing with supply chain is looking at all steps. |
We're trying to find best fit for our operation and determine how much change we can bring about within our organization, and how quickly. We saw what is considered world class and we are introducing lean practices, with an emphasis right now in the distribution arena. Our first step was looking at the knowledge level and commitment from management. |