Beyond the Lean Factory: Lean Leaders for Lean Times

By now, the concept of lean thinking and its benefits to manufacturers and consumers have been well documented. Elimination of batch flow, drastic reduction of inventory, conservation of space and eradication of waste have created an improved ability to meet demand. It is reasonable to conclude that higher productivity figures reported monthly by the U.S. government must be attributed in some part to the adoption of lean principles. Author: Linford E. Stiles, Stiles Associates, New London, NH.