Industry Reports on Lean Manufacturing Concepts

Lean Manufacturing: Reducing Waste in the Supply Chain
In this benchmark survey, Aberdeen found that an increasing number of manufacturers are looking at the handoff between manufacturing and the supply chain as a key area of  process improvement. Optimizing this handoff translates into a better ability to synchronize manufacturing execution with customer demand and improve collaboration across supply chain planning and manufacturing operations.

Manufacturing 2009/2010 Executive Summary
The 2009/2010 Manufacturing Executive Summary provides an in-depth look at key performance metrics and how various technologies and processes-from lean to six sigma to value-stream mapping-are being used today. The results and insights -based on surveys responses from manufacturing managers in 298 U.S. facilities-are presented in this easy-to-digest executive summary. Read this report, published by the MPI Group, to compare facility profiles and performance and to review analysis of such critical operational categories as human resources, production, inventory control, supply chain, capital equipment, and information technology.

Technology Strategies for Closed Loop Inventory Management
Inventory has been and continues to be the lifeblood of supply chains, especially in times of economic difficulties. Properly managed, it drives revenue and efficiency for companies by, for example, reducing working capital with fewer inventories in stock while simultaneously increasing customer service levels. For this report, Aberdeen benchmarked the people, processes, technologies, and metrics associated with lean inventory management.

Extending the Lean Enterprise
Enterprises of all types, from Tier 1 auto suppliers, to food and beverage manufacturers, and even to healthcare services firms, are focusing on Lean to reduce overall operating costs. Based on the survey responses of over 300 manufacturing and service industry professionals, Aberdeen has identified specific strategies for manufacturers to deploy at every stage along the Lean journey. These strategies characterize best practices in extending the Lean enterprise, managing Lean expertise and education within an organization, managing performance across operations, and effectively leveraging technology.

The Role of Technology in Lean Manufacturing
Lean philosophy has been prevalent in the manufacturing industry for decades.  But even today, large numbers of manufacturers are struggling with how to embrace Lean principles successfully.  While Lean software adoption is critical, manufacturers also need to standardize Lean processes across the enterprise, establish a Lean center for excellence and provide factory floor data as actionable intelligence to successfully leverage their investments in technology.

Supply Chain Innovator's Technology Footprint
With globalization of supply and more customer-specific fulfillment mandates, the need for supply chain technology is not subsiding.  It is clear that supply chain executives are seeking new capabilities and technology features for their next-generation supply chain solutions.  Discover what priorities innovators are looking at and recommendations for action while establishing or maintaining a lean environment.

Manufacturing Flexibility Report: Synchronizing the Shop Floor and Supply Chain
The top three strategic actions being implemented by manufacturers to improve flexibility are measuring operational metrics, controlling inventory costs, and improving dynamic decision making.   When viewed as an overall coherent strategy this can be categorized as a "measure, control, and improve" approach in the continual improvement and Lean manufacturing space.  Learn how manufacturers have used lean manufacturing principles and achieved Best in Class performance in this Aberdeen report.