Lean Manufacturing - A Multi Pronged Strategy for Enhancing the Performance of an Organization -A Case Study

Lean Manufacturing is a systematic approach for identifying and eliminating waste in the process of manufacturing. Lean thinking is to determine the value in terms of the customer and ensure that the value is created and given to the customer at the lowest possible cost. In this process, lean approaches analysis the value stream from the raw material stage to the point it reaches the customer. Many lean strategies are employed in the organization depending on the process and the product they manufacture. Some of them are Value Stream Mapping, Cellular Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement (Kaizen 5S), JIT Kanban and so on. Value stream mapping helps to identify the current product flows based on which the future flows are planned with the help of lean strategies to satisfy the expectation of the customer. Cellular manufacturing is one of the cornerstones when one wants to become lean. Continuous Improvement is another fundamental principal of lean manufacturing. JIT and Kanban help lean manufacturing systems to meet high throughput with very little inventory. The paper anlayses the implementation of lean manufacturing strategies in an organization as a multi pronged approach for enhancing the performance of it. A case study has been conducted in a rubber component manufacturing unit to show that a multi pronged approach was used in implementing lean manufacturing in the company to improve its performance.