Posts Tagged ‘LEAN’
The history of Lean – fun facts
The Lean mindset drives everything we do at Lawton and keeps us improving to better serve our customers. That’s why we’ve been exploring its roots in this article series. Now that you understand how Lean has evolved during the last seven centuries, it’s time to take a closer look at some little-known but fun facts…
Read MoreThe history of Lean – part 4
During the 20th century, the concept of Lean became a worldwide phenomenon from an unlikely source: a small Japanese loom manufacturer that would become one of the world’s most well-known and respected auto manufacturers: Toyota. Through the Toyota Production System (TPS), the Japanese automaker molded ideas for making improvements into the concept of lean. Toyota…
Read MoreThe history of Lean – part 3
The 1900s were a pivotal time in the history of Lean. It was during this era that the Gilbreths introduced the idea of process analysis and process mapping. Frederick W. Taylor introduced the concept of scientific management to further streamline manufacturing processes. And Henry Ford built upon these ideas to mass produce affordable automobiles. Although…
Read MoreThe history of Lean – part 2
Since the 1400s, innovators like Jean Baptiste Vaquette de Gribeauval, Honoré Blanc and Eli Whitney have developed new ways to eliminate waste in manufacturing. By reducing waste, processes become Lean and manufacturers are able to meet and sustain higher quality standards more safely and efficiently. Although Whitney, Ford, and Toyota are commonly credited for the…
Read MoreThe history of Lean – part 1
Although many people believe the concept of Lean originated with Henry Ford and Toyota in the 1900s, its roots can be traced back to the 1450s in Venice. Lean is a concept or way of thinking that focuses on eliminating waste and streamlining processes to save time, space, materials, and money. Its name comes from…
Read MoreThe history of The C.A. Lawton Co.: The fifth generation
MDI boards help teams visualize improvements
TIMWOODS: He’s “everywhere” at Lawton
Remarkable people get remarkable training at Lawton
Not surprisingly, training is a foundational element of the progressive culture at The C.A. Lawton Co. In this interview, Continuous Improvement LEAN Coach Randy Thyrion explains the company’s enlightened approach to it. What is a standard work initiative, and how does it help employees to retain new knowledge and skills? Thyrion: It’s a tool created…
Read MoreHow a 139-year-old foundry is “LEAN-ing” into the future of castings
Several years ago, C.A. Lawton faced a significant challenge: Become dramatically more capable to meet customers’ rising expectations for quality and speed, or begin a slow slide into irrelevance. Its solution? Make a complete commitment to LEAN, a methodology that emphasizes simplifying and accelerating work processes while simultaneously improving product quality. It’s very fundamental –…
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