Articles on World Class Manufacturing

The Use and Abuse of OEE

This article discusses how to use the Overall Equipment Effectiveness measurement, and how not to abuse it! Click on The Use and Abuse of OEE

The Power of SMED

Doubt has recently been cast of Shingo's story of reducing changeovers at Toyota from 4 hours to 3 minutes.  Whatever the historical truth, Toyota engage in sub 10 minute changeovers, and SMED is a powerful process to achieve this.  Click on The Power of SMED

Three Perspectives on Lean

There are many different views on how Toyota derive the power of their production system.  This article looks at these explanations from the point of view of engineering, process management and learning.  Click on Three Perspectives on Lean

To Blitz or Not to Blitz

There is a paradox in using 'blitz' events to teach 'continuous unending improvement'.  This article discusses the origins of the Kaizen Blitz