What is Lean Manufacturing?

Ever since Henry Ford invented the assembly line, industrial innovators have constantly focused on improvement through a variety of different manufacturing strategies. Lean manufacturing is a manufacturing strategy that seeks to produce a high level of throughput with a minimum of inventory.

Originally a Japanese methodology known as the Toyota Production System designed by Sakichi Toyoda, lean manufacturing centers around placing small stockpiles of inventory in strategic locations around the assembly line, instead of in centralized warehouses. These small stockpiles are known as kanban, and the use of the kanban significantly lowers waste and enhances productivity on the factory floor.

In addition to eliminating waste, lean manufacturing seeks to provide optimum quality by building in a method whereby each part is examined immediately after manufacture, and if there is a defect, the production line stops so that the problem can be detected at the earliest possible time. The lean manufacturing method has much in common with the Total Quality Management (TQM) strategy. Both strategies empower workers on the assembly line, in the belief that those closest to production have the greatest knowledge of how the production system should work.

In a lean manufacturing system, suppliers deliver small lots on a daily basis, and machines are not necessarily run at full capacity. One of the primary focuses of lean manufacturing is to eliminate waste; that is, anything that does not add value to the final product gets eliminated. In this respect, large inventories are seen as a type of waste that carries with it a high cost. A second major focus is to empower workers, and make production decisions at the lowest level possible.

Additionally, supply chain management factors heavily into lean manufacturing, and a tight partnership with suppliers is necessary; this facilitates the rapid flow of product and parts to the shop floor.

Lean manufacturing strategies can save millions of dollars and produce excellent results. Advantages include lower lead times, reduced set-up times, lower equipment expense, and of course, increased profits. It gives the manufacturer a competitive edge by reducing costs and increasing quality, and by allowing the manufacturer to be more responsive to customer demands.

How Do I Choose the Best Quality Control Courses?

Quality control is the practice of seeing that products and services are both compliant with regulations and satisfactory to customers. Professionals who practice quality control can be found in virtually every industry that provides goods and services to clients, as well as in the manufacturing industry. Individuals can take quality control courses when they need to learn how to monitor and regulate business processes to improve the overall quality of an operation. To choose the best quality control courses, it can be helpful to consider the needs of your industry, the potential for earning a degree or certification, and factors such as cost and ease of access.

The best quality control courses are often those that can give you insight into the needs of a particular industry. For example, a professional who needs to practice quality control in the pharmaceutical industry may need to take courses that educate him or her in regulations regarding the production and selling of pharmaceuticals. Likewise, an aspiring quality control professional who would like to work in customer service can benefit from business classes that teach him or her how best to satisfy customers so that they choose to use a business again and again.

Quality control is the practice of seeing that products and services are both compliant with regulations and satisfactory to customers. Professionals who practice quality control can be found in virtually every industry that provides goods and services to clients, as well as in the manufacturing industry. Individuals can take quality control courses when they need to learn how to monitor and regulate business processes to improve the overall quality of an operation. To choose the best quality control courses, it can be helpful to consider the needs of your industry, the potential for earning a degree or certification, and factors such as cost and ease of access.

The best quality control courses are often those that can give you insight into the needs of a particular industry. For example, a professional who needs to practice quality control in the pharmaceutical industry may need to take courses that educate him or her in regulations regarding the production and selling of pharmaceuticals. Likewise, an aspiring quality control professional who would like to work in customer service can benefit from business classes that teach him or her how best to satisfy customers so that they choose to use a business again and again.

In some cases, an employer might offer in-house quality control courses. These might be conducted by human resource representatives or quality control managers. Courses of this variety can be offered to new quality control employees and all customer service representatives who need to understand company expectations.

Many professionals in this field may choose to earn quality control certification. This certification may not always be required by employers, though it can help a job applicant to appear more qualified. Completion of courses and earning of a degree or certification related to quality control can act as evidence of proficiency.

Cost is a factor that you may want to consider when it comes to quality control courses. Classes can range from free online courses to conventional classroom courses that require payment of a fee. Courses that offer attendees an opportunity to earn certifications or degrees tend to be the most expensive. Employers often pay fees for employees who are taking courses that can be beneficial to their company.