lean manufacturing

Lean manufacturing is a production strategy focused on eliminating waste and maximizing value for the customer. Originating from studies of the automobile industry, particularly practices like just-in-time manufacturing developed by Toyota, it aims to reduce unnecessary resources such as materials, space, tooling, and labor. Key principles include waste minimization, flexibility, and responsiveness to change, supported by optimizing material and information flow to achieve superior quality and reduce scrap. This approach emphasizes integrated teams with decision-making authority at the operational level, contrasting with traditional hierarchical management structures.12