According to the theory of lean manufacturing, anything which does not increase value should be considered as waste or futile effort. Within this concept, eight different areas which create waste have been identified, which can be summarized with the acronym DOWNTIME.
If you thought of “lean manufacturing” simply as reducing head count, then this article will challenge and probably change that thought process. I use the term “process” as you will
With 5S, Six Sigma, O.E.E., VSM, HSLM and a host of other programs and terms, one would think that team members at Sara Lee's Claryville plant in Alexandria, Ky., have to carry decoder rings with them at all times.
