Introduction: Lean manufacturing is a synchronized method with which a supply chain can eradicate waste from its production process. According to customer needs, production process is required to develop, so that produced goods become more valuable product in quality. In contemporary manufacturing many supply chains are taking help of lean manufacturing method, so that production become less defective, machinery and raw materials are used in a proper way, eliminating waste as much as possible. It is an approach of identifying and eliminating waste through continued improvement. It emphasizes process waste also, so that they achieve success in the shortest possible cycle time. And makes the operation efficient enough consisting only value added steps. Lean manufacturing and TPS Lean The popular definition of Lean Manufacturing and the Toyota Production System conventionally consists of the following: To solve the quandary of waste, Lean Manufacturing has The TPS is often used interchangeably with the terms Lean Manufacturing and Lean Even more importantly, a Lean process, be it the TPS or another, is characterized by Lean and the Toyota Production System To further explore the depth of what a Lean Manufacturing system authentically is, we will not because the TPS is the best Lean system around. The main reason of Lean Manufacturing or TPS is every step of manufacturing should be improved. It is required to be highly responsible to the consumer requirements, using possible less time and highest quality. Muda: Lean manufacturing involves never ending efforts to eliminate or reduce “muda”( Japanese term used to reduce waste, which does not add value to Supply Chain) while make design, manufacturing, distribution and customer service processes in the respective Supply Chain. Lean Six Sigma: A management approach used for solving problems and improving processes, combining SixSigmaand Lean Manufacturing tools. Kaizen: Kaizen is a Japanese term, which mention about gradually approaching higher standards in enhancing quality and reducing waste, while involving all levels of staff in a company or a Supply Chain. Lean manufacturing tools usually used in an apparel supply chain are as follows: 5S: Sorting things in a Supply Chain workplace and facilities. Cleanliness arrangements and keeping things well arranged are emphasized. Things are visuallydisplayed: For communicating with all sorts of people in the factory /supply chain unit visual displays are used as a great tool in the lean manufacturing process. Necessary information, production board at the end of production line, mocks of sewing operation, quality procedure, exit signs are openly displayed; so that errors are minimized in manufacturing and even in the whole supply chain. Standardization of the workprocess: Factory and supply chain as a whole has to set standardized working method, so that manufacturing related wastes and non-value added tasks can be eliminated. While one follows standardized methods errors are minimized. Quick Changeover: One of the Lean tools is using “quick changeover” methods, so that change in the manufacturing line can be done more quickly, saving time. In a garment industry manufacturing facility, when a new style is started production, there is considerable set up time losses. Lean methods could be used to reduce set up time loss. Error Proofing Techniques: Some techniques used in Lean Manufacturing to eliminate errors of the equipment operator. The purpose of the techniques are preventing, correcting or drawing attention to humanly errors as they occur. This can even include information generation, reporting etc. Kanban: Kanban is used as a workplace system tool, which improves visibility and helps to eliminate building excess work in process (WIP) in production lines and facilities. Problem Solving Tools: Ishikawa’s Fish Bone Program and Five Why’s are widely used in problem solving. Such manufacturing areas, which are widely changing over time, such as making clothing products, garments manufacturers, need to work with latest products, new machine and materials. To meet our business goal, we need to use them as a team. Workload balancing tools: In a sewing line meant for mass production, department to department, process to process work load balance is necessary. Lean manufacturing gives emphasis on workload balance, which is very positive for a manufacturing facility in apparel supply chain. Conclusion: The accepted architect of the TPS is Taiichi Ohno, the Chief Engineer of Toyota for many years. Others contributed greatly, including Shigeo Shingo and the members of the Toyota family, but Ohno gets most of the credit for its engenderment, development, and implementation. Ohno may withal get most of the credit because he indicated the most about it, or maybe just did the most about it. Neither is consequential. What is paramount is that the TPS categorically, and Lean Manufacturing in general, is a tremendous contribution to society and manufacturing in particular and we owe an immensely colossal debt of gratitude to those individuals who engendered it and caused it to mature even further. [1] Lean production system was first introduced in Toyota, Japan. This is not only a set of production methods, but a philosophy also. A good number of Apparel factories are introducing Lean Manufacturing techniques to enhance productivity and business. References: 1. 1.Lonnie,Wilson.(2018). “ How To Implement Lean Manufacturing”. New York: Mc Graw Hill

A discussion on Lean, Six Sigma and Kaizen in the context of manufacturing

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