Praveen Rao

Lean manufacturing is all about reducing waste and increasing efficiency. Manufacturers have been implementing lean practices for decades and have stood the test of time. Now, with technological advancements, lean methodologies can be more transformative than ever before. “Integrating automation into lean manufacturing is a powerful strategy. Unlike traditional automation, which often aims to increase production capacity without considering real needs, lean automation focuses on the smart and selective application of technologies to meet specific continuous improvement goals and eliminate inefficiencies,” the Kaizen Institute said. “Digital transformation provides an unprecedented opportunity for implementing lean,” it continued. “When applied within lean, tools like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics can revolutionize how organizations detect and eliminate waste.” What is Lean Manufacturing? In “The Machine That Changed The World,” published in 1990, lean production is hailed as “Toyota’s secret weapon in the global car wars.” The Toyota Production System was developed following World War II from “a series of simple innovations … to provide both continuity in process flow and a wide variety in product offerings,” according to the Lean Enterprise Institute. In “Lean Thinking,” a 1996 follow-up to “The Machine That Changed The World,” authors James…

It’s been a great week on Supply Chain Now! Make sure you’re up to date on all the latest episodes, interviews, conversations, and livestreams right here. On Saturday, Kelly Barner with Buyers Meeting Point joined Scott and Greg on the podcast to share her thoughts on the priorities & challenges within procurement as well as key takeaways involving GPO & Mastermind Live 2020.   On Monday, Scott and Greg welcome Diego Martinez with Coca-Cola and Mike Lackey with SAP to dive into the critical role supply chain plays in Atlanta, full of key takeaways that relate back to business regardless of where you live.   On Tuesday, Phil Rich, SVP & CSCO with Sweetwater, shares his perspective with Supply Chain Now Co-hosts Greg White and Scott Luton on how to guarantee quality customer experiences.   On Wednesday, Scott and Greg hosted the Supply Chain Buzz where they welcomed HR Expert & Consultant John Holly, who shared everything you need to know when it comes to supply chain talent right now.   On TECHquila Sunrise this Thursday, Greg White reflected on the best moments from the podcast since August with featured technology founders, investors, and visionaries.   We ended the week…