This philosophy is not the usual manufacturing style of US companies. Lean manufacturing uses concepts pioneered by Taiichi Ohno, former vice president of Toyota Motor Company by instilling the discipline to reduce cost, to generate capital, to make the money, to bring in more sales, to remain competitive in a growing global market. This in turn makes the business more competitive. These companies at the same time continue to produce high quality products and services while retaining employees and fostering a company wide culture promoting continuous improvement and empowerment. With the current trend toward growth by consolidation, the history over the last 5 years indicates many marginal companies with sales potential are purchased, torn apart and only the profitable divisions retained while others are shut down or again sold.
Lean manufacturing can help turn marginal companies into the supplier of choice.
There are many examples of this. The crux of TPS is a disciplined attitude to seek out and eliminate all waste. Companies that set out on the lean manufacturing journey often find it hard to sustain the activities because of a lack of knowledge, experience, and discipline. With a clear direction and facility focus on what is important many companies are becoming leaner and taking market share from their competitors. Bullis Lean Manufacturing matches experienced trainers to partnerships with small to mid sized companies, on the road to Lean Manufacturing concepts.