Why Lean is Critical for Small Manufacturers
Embracing Lean principles is critical to the growth of NJ’s smaller manufacturers, typically defined as companies with 30 or fewer employees. Lean manufacturing creates a culture of continuous improvement and leads companies to various benefits including:
- Better efficiencies
- Higher profits
- Improved quality
- Increased productivity
- Reduced production costs
More specifically, Lean manufacturing principles help companies achieve these benefits by identifying and addressing things like inventory control issues and improving the ability to meet customer demands. Various types of improvement projects and services are categorized under the umbrella of Lean, but they all focus on reducing or elimination different types of “wastes” such as:
- Downtime
- Excess Inventory
- Defects
- Under utilization
- Waiting
- Transportation
- Overproduction
- Non-Value Added Processing
While many smaller manufacturers realize they need to embrace Lean principles, they are often challenged with stretched resources, and are unable to implement Lean projects.
Small Business Lean – Targeted Transformation Program
The new Small Business Lean – Targeted Transformation Program is designed to help smaller NJ manufacturing firms (30 or fewer employees) with a flexible, cost-effective way to improve their processes and efficiencies.
Provided by NJDEP’s Pro-Action Network, the program utilizes a combination of in-person consultations and online training courses. This provides small manufacturers with a flexible schedule to take advantage of the following offerings at a very reasonable cost:
- Lean Awareness and Practitioner Program
- Targeted Process Mapping and Training
- Targeted Kaizen (Process Improvement) Training culminating in a Targeted Kaizen Event
The program can be completed in as little as eight-weeks and does not require lengthy mandatory in-class training during business hours.
Click here to view a sample course outline.
Clients typically see a 20% to 50% savings in time, effort, or costs associated with their processes after completing the Small Business Lean Program.
Additional course details and program fees can be provided to interested organizations when they contact a Pro-Action Network Account Representative at 973.998.9801 and schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation!