Manufacturing companies
Question 1
Manufacturing companies emphasize lean thinking because it encourages flexibility in the production system, increases knowledge, reduces defaults, and wastes. For example, in the automated industry, lean thinking is emphasized to ensure that a positive outcome is achieved like decreasing times lead for the customers (Melton, 2005). Lean thinking enables many businesses to be efficient because speed is increased when a request is sent; the response is also immediate business process linked to supply chain are likely to achieve high financial benefits.
Question 2
Overproduction is when a company produces many goods than the demand in the market. Overproduction is a big waste because it causes other waste like transportation waste, which involves moving inventory, people, and tools, which is unnecessary. Movement can cause damage, exhaustion, and unnecessary work. Overproduction results in the production of low-quality products that can have many defects, which can make it difficult to sell them in the market (Melton, 2005). Overproduction should be avoided; the manufacturing company must embrace just-in-time production whereby production is scheduled as it is requested.
Question 3
Lean thinking increases production rates; raw materials are changes into finished products within a short time because the employees have increased knowledge through regular practice. All the no-n value activities are eliminated to avoid any form of wastage. The quality of products is high; this is done by reducing the defects that can affect the product. Lean thinking also utilizes the employees’ skills by encouraging teamwork that strives to know how the job can easier and better Melton, 2005). Other benefits are that the production cost is reduced; customer satisfaction is achieved because they are of good quality. The benefits are immeasurable because, over time, they keep on improving.
Reference
Melton, T. (2005). In 7th World Congress of Chemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering Research
and Design June 2005 83(6):662-673