Creative Safety Supply has recently revealed a new product line all about whiteboards! Dry erase boards are an excellent tool for encouraging collaboration between departments and employees. However, one of the best attributes whiteboards hold is the fact that they are most often used as an organizational tool. When we say organization, it isn’t just putting objects back where they were taken from. Organization is standardization. Organization…
Mackenzie Busby | September 8, 2021 | Company Updates | 5S, Continuous Improvement, Facility Efficiency, Healthcare, Kaizen, Kanban, Lean Manufacturing
When it comes to safe and efficient operation of a workplace, most people are used to reading Japanese terms like Kaizen, Gemba, Gembutsu, Kanban, and more. Many companies, however, overlook the term Yokoten, and the many benefits it can bring. Barry Jeffrey posted an interesting article to the LinkedIn Group, “Gemba Academy,” where it generated some interesting discussion and ideas. The article is titled, “The Art of…
Tony Ferraro | December 22, 2016 | Lean | 5S, Gemba, Kaizen, Kanban, Yokoten
Understanding the Basics of Lean Supply Chain Many companies and individual facilities have implemented LEAN techniques into their daily processes, and have gotten great results. When looking for ways to take that success to the next level, consider establishing a lean supply chain to further eliminate waste and improve efficiency within virtually any company. A Lean supply chain is essentially a system of interdependent partners that all work…
Tony Ferraro | October 22, 2015 | Lean | Facility Efficiency, Kanban, Lean Manufacturing
Introduction to Kanban for Manufacturing If you are looking for a way to reduce waste in your facility, the Kanban methodology might be the perfect solution. Kanban was developed by the Toyota Corporation and has since been used by thousands of manufacturing companies around the world. The effectiveness of this system is well-established from a variety of approaches. Learning about what this system is and how it…
Tony Ferraro | September 10, 2015 | Kanban | Kanban
Kanban A to Z Kanban is one of the older Lean tools or strategies tracing its origins back to (where else) Toyota. Kanban itself is system that helps companies sort through their potentially hectic operations and come out on the other side with the most efficient way possible to cope with their own supply and demand. Kanban, however, so its purpose of creating simplicity and efficiency, is…
Tony Ferraro | March 6, 2015 | Kanban | Kanban
Lean manufacturing principles have solidified themselves as a successful method of improvement in organizations across the globe. Increasing productivity through waste elimination methods continues to be the golden ticket for many industries, but a separate by-product of Lean is in need of some attention –Green. Organizations everywhere are starting to notice their Lean principles produce a significant impact on their green/environmental performance. In general, environmental impacts are…
CSS Editorial Staff | December 24, 2014 | Lean | 3P, 5S, Kaizen, Kanban, Lean
Tips & Tricks for Efficiently Tracking Lean Projects Recently, we wrote about a couple of problems facing many Lean practitioners. These were problems that hindered their learning process and often caused overconfidence. Amongst the advice to help combat these problems arose the need for detailed tracking and note taking with regards to practice and progress. Being able to accurately track not only the effects but also the…
Tony Ferraro | July 30, 2014 | Lean | Kanban, Six Sigma
In LEAN methodology, businesses become more efficient, more profitable, and less wasteful through a plethora of time-tested strategies. However, many of the strategies might not be immediately intuitive, and may therefore not have made their way into your original business plans. Many people find themselves in this position, and want to figure out how they can make a peaceful, positive transition into LEAN within their business. In…
Tony Ferraro | February 6, 2014 | Lean | Continuous Improvement, Kanban, Lean Manufacturing
Have you ever heard of Kanban? This LEAN principle was developed specifically to help achieve a Just-In-Time, or JIT, production cycle. In a JIT cycle, products and goods are produced in exact accordance with observed demand, rather than predicted demand. This means that instead of projecting how many widgets you need to produce in a year to meet what you predict the demand will be, you don’t…
Tony Ferraro | January 30, 2014 | Kanban | Continuous Improvement, Kanban, Lean
LEAN tools and strategies focus on improving production efficiency and reducing waste, both in terms of time and physical inputs. While the term LEAN and the thinking behind it is fairly well-known, there is still a natural (though somewhat perplexing) resistance to change that keeps business owners from implementing these strategies once they’re set in their ways. The reality is that a scientific, LEAN approach is almost…
Tony Ferraro | January 21, 2014 | Lean | 5S, Continuous Improvement, Kaizen, Kanban, Lean Manufacturing
Kanban is a Japanese lean manufacturing term that is associated with the flow of production in a workplace. Kanban is usually achieved by visualizing or attaching moving cards to each stage of the production process so that you can see how many units are in any one stage at a time and whether some stages are getting backed up while also identifying other stages which may be…
Tony Ferraro | November 12, 2013 | Kanban | Facility Efficiency, Kanban
Continuous improvement is the task of frequently seeking out ways to improve processes, products, or services. However, it is important to remember that persistence and perseverance are vital when it comes to the ongoing and ever-changing task of continuous improvement. For instance, when cell phones first came out they were oversized, bulky, offered less than desirable service, and neglected any sense of style. However, through continuous improvement…
Mike Wilson | April 17, 2013 | Safety Solutions | 5S, Continuous Improvement, Kaizen, Kanban, Lean Manufacturing, Organized Workplace, Six Sigma, Tool Organization
Kanban is a system that was developed long ago by a very well known company, Toyota. It is very popular in the world of business and is widely used due to its uniqueness and ease in use. This system has brought modern planning, working conditions, management and other aspects of business. Due to these, Kanban system produced most of the successful business globally. With this system, time…
Mike Wilson | October 16, 2012 | Kanban | Continuous Improvement, Kanban, Lean Manufacturing
Kanban is an inventory and replenishment system that assists in determining what, when, and how much to produce. It is a scheduling system that maintains inventory levels used in lean manufacturing or Just-In-Time (JIT) production. When material is consumed, a signal is sent to produce and deliver another shipment. It is a ‘pull’ system of production based on planned elimination of waste and continuous improvements of productivity. …
Mike Wilson | September 25, 2012 | Kanban | Continuous Improvement, Kanban
You hop in your car and get moving. You’ve got to get from Boston to New York, but your car is on fire. You haven’t had a drink of water in two days, and your fuel gauge is low. Oh, and where is your roadmap? Sounds like a fun trip, doesn’t it? So, which problem do you take care of first? Do you put out the fire,…
Mike Wilson | September 25, 2012 | Lean | 5S, Kaizen, Kanban, Lean Manufacturing
