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Product News: Linear Motion and Assembly Technologies
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Bosch Rexroth and GBMP Offer Tips on Developing and Sustaining a Lean Manufacturing Work Culture - ATX West 2010
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New podcast episode from Bosch Rexroth discusses Foundations, Management and Countermeasures as the three fundamental components of a lean manufacturing environment
(Buchanan, MI — www.boschrexroth-us.com/lean) Bosch Rexroth and well-known lean manufacturing training organization GBMP (Greater Boston Manufacturing Partnership), have collaborated to create three informative new podcasts in the Rexroth lean manufacturing podcast series. In the first of these podcasts, GBMP president Bruce Hamilton offers his insight on three fundamental components of success with lean manufacturing: foundations, management and countermeasures.
Each of these components is extremely important for creating and sustaining lean, but the Foundation of the lean system is perhaps the most critical. The foundation explains the reasoning behind a particular operation or system, in this case, the Toyota Production System. “When you’re not starting out with that foundation, you’re asking people to do something without explaining why it’s important,” says Hamilton. “You’re not creating the culture shift or the change in the management system that allows employees to fully grasp what the process is about.”
The Management component means that management must support the lean system in a visible way, because it likely represents a major change in the way business is done. Hamilton explains, “In order for this process to work, management has to accept changing the management system so that they’ll promote behaviors with employees that are conducive to improvement.”
Countermeasures are often what receive the most attention in lean environments, and people often mistake the pursuit of lean manufacturing with the implementation of lean countermeasures, such as Kaizen events. Instead, countermeasures are not a means to an end, but rather a part of the overall solution. Work environment conditions can change every day, so employees should always be thinking of ways to improve their work area to perform at a higher level.
When implementing the three components of a lean system, consider these tips to help develop and improve your lean manufacturing work culture:
• Make sure to use all three parts of the lean system. Organizations tend to gravitate toward the tools of lean but fail to reap the benefits of the entire system working together.
• Management should be out in their factory and workplace to demonstrate their commitment to the process, but also to recognize the brilliance and creativity of their employees in problem-solving. The best knowledge for improvement is going to come from the people who do the work.
• Involve employees and give them the opportunity to help fix problems that they face every day. The number of grievances goes down when people feel involved. If they make mistakes, that’s how all learning occurs, and everyone will be working to increase value.
• Always look to improve countermeasures. Conditions change every day, and a person should always be thinking of how to improve a tool and do a better job.
“Three Fundamental Components of Lean: Foundations, Management and Countermeasures” is episode number 13 in Rexroth’s lean manufacturing podcast series, available for listening or free download from the company’s website at www.boschrexroth-us.com/leanpodcast. The podcast series is also available from the iTunes podcast library and other podcast directories on the web.
Developed by Bosch Rexroth’s Linear Motion and Assembly Technologies group, each eight- to ten-minute lean manufacturing podcast episode presents guest experts and information to help manufacturers and OEMs understand and apply lean principles and practices in their businesses.
Visit www.boschrexroth-us.com/lean for more information on lean manufacturing.
Bosch Rexroth AG, part of the Bosch Group, achieved sales of approximately $6.2 billion (4.9 billion Euros) in 2006 with over 29,800 employees. Under the brand name of Rexroth the company offers all drive and control technologies, from mechanics, hydraulics and pneumatics to electronics and associated service. Over 500,000 customers worldwide utilize Rexroth’s unique technological know-how to implement their innovative and future-oriented systems and machine concepts. The global player, represented in over 80 countries, is an extensive supplier of components and systems for industrial and factory automation and mobile applications. Visit www.boschrexroth-us.com for more information.
For more information, please contact
Bosch Rexroth Corporation
Kevin Gingerich
816 E. Third Street
Buchanan, MI 49107
Telephone (269) 697-5295
Fax (269) 695-5363
kevin.gingerich@boschrexroth-us.com
Godfrey Public Relations
Todd Walter
40 North Christian Street
Lancaster, PA 17602
Telephone (717) 393-3831 ext. 133
Fax (717) 393-1403
twalter@godfrey.com
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