ABSTRACT

In the current age of manufacturing revival in the U.S. and other developed countries, companies are looking for ways to maintain or gain advantage over competitors from low-cost countries. This book presents a firsthand account of actual projects in three different industries to help leaders and middle managers structure their own turnaround or improvement projects.

The book uses a case-based approach for Lean implementation and presents a summary of lessons learned and insights on change management. It includes examples of Robotic Process Automation concepts used in manufacturing and offers several examples of analytical tools used to solve operations management problems.

The first-person, story-based approach makes this book an engaging read for operations leaders and middle management in the areas of quality management, engineering management, business management, and manufacturing, as well as postgraduate students.

chapter 1|4 pages

Introduction

Challenges to Change Initiative: History and Application of Lean Concepts

chapter 2|7 pages

Overview of Cases

chapter 3|7 pages

Competing with Low-Cost Countries

A Steel Fabrication Shop in Texas

chapter 4|14 pages

A New Approach to Fabrication

American Pride Manufacturing Turns the Page

chapter 5|7 pages

Gaining Market Share through Shorter Lead Time

The Case of a Colorado Shop

chapter 7|6 pages

Meeting Customer Expectations

Classic Case of a U.S. Wooden Cabinet Maker

chapter 8|17 pages

Keeping Customers Happy with Shorter Lead Times

Ubercraft’s Approach

chapter 9|6 pages

Lessons Learned