Lean Manufacturing – Lean Factory Tour – FastCap

Lean manufacturing is a method of production that aims to minimize waste and maximize efficiency in the manufacturing process. The goal of lean manufacturing is to create value for the customer by eliminating unnecessary steps and activities in the production process.

A lean factory tour is a visit to a manufacturing facility that has implemented lean manufacturing principles. During a lean factory tour, visitors can observe the different elements of the lean manufacturing system in action and learn how they contribute to the overall efficiency of the facility.

FastCap is a company that specializes in manufacturing and supplying woodworking tools and accessories. They are known for implementing Lean Manufacturing principles in their factory. Visitors can take a factory tour and see first-hand how they use Lean principles to minimize waste, improve efficiency and increase productivity.

During the tour, visitors will see how FastCap uses visual management techniques such as Kanban boards and Andon cords to manage production flow and identify potential problems quickly. They also use 5S methodology to keep the factory organized and clean, and have implemented a Pull system to ensure that materials and products are produced and delivered in a timely manner.

In summary, a lean factory tour is a visit to a manufacturing facility that has implemented lean manufacturing principles, to observe the different elements of the lean manufacturing system in action and learn how they contribute to the overall efficiency of the facility. FastCap is a company that implements lean principles in their factory, and visitors can take a tour to learn more about the implementation of lean manufacturing in real-life scenarios.

Lean Manufacturing Quotes

“All we are doing is looking at the time line, from the moment the customer gives us an order to the point when we collect the cash. And we are reducing the time line by reducing the non-value adding wastes.” ~Taiichi Ohno
“If you define the problem correctly, you almost have the solution.” ~Steve Jobs
“A relentless barrage of “why’s” is the best way to prepare your mind to pierce the clouded veil of thinking caused by the status quo. Use it often.” ~Shigeo Shingo
“Why not make the work easier and more interesting so that people do not have to sweat? The Toyota style is not to create results by working hard. It is a system that says there is no limit to people’s creativity. People don’t go to Toyota to ‘work’ they go there to ‘think” ~Taiichi Ohno
“I say an hour lost at a bottleneck is an hour out of the entire system. I say an hour saved at a non-bottleneck is worthless. Bottlenecks govern both throughput and inventory.” ~Eli M. Goldratt, The Goal
“Time waste differs from material waste in that there can be no salvage. The easiest of all wastes and the hardest to correct is the waste of time, because wasted time does not litter the floor like wasted material.” ~Henry Ford