Better Thinking, Better Results: Case Study and Analysis of an Enterprise-Wide Lean Transformation
"Bob Emiliani and his associates have done us all a service by documenting this important case example. The book reflects a great depth of understanding of Lean thinking and of the detailed transformation of The Wiremold Company. They aptly demonstrate that Lean is more than manufacturing tools but a total business solution and a way of meaningfully engaging people. This is one of the important books that anybody interested in Lean thinking needs to read." --Jeffrey Liker, Professor of Industrial and Operations Engineering, University of Michigan, and author ofThe Toyota Way"InLean Thinking, Dan Jones and I told the Lean success story of Art Byrne and his team at The Wiremold Company during 1991-1996 from a fifty thousand foot altitude. In this fascinating volume, Bob Emiliani takes you down to tree top height and brings the story up to the present so you can see all of the specific methods - technical, managerial, and leadership - Art used to mold a moribund smokestack company into a Lean champion. Everything you need to know about a Lean transformation is explained between these covers, with helpful summaries of all the key lessons for you to apply immediately to your own business." --James P. Womack, Chairman and Founder of the Lean Enterprise Institute, Inc., and co-author ofLean Thinking"This is the best overall book on Lean management sinceLean Thinking. An excellent methodical description and analysis of the Wiremold Lean journey, demonstrating the tools and leadership required to execute a Lean transformation. Like Lean Thinking, you have more `a-ha!' moments each additional time you read it. Very highly recommended." --Kevin Meyer, Superfactory Ventures, LLC"This is the only book I know that shows how to manage the transformation of a company from traditional manufacturing to a thoroughly Lean organization. The book contains a detailed case study of the Lean journey of The Wiremold Corporation (and its managers) from the early 1990's to the present day. Addressing such issues as the kaizen culture, Lean as a people process, customer-focused product development, providing value for your customers, and Lean accounting; this book goes way beyond the tools & methods of Lean manufacturing to the practical implementation of Lean management. I would recommend this as a `must read' for any management team serious about Lean transformation." --Brian Maskell, President, BMA Inc., and co-author ofPractical Lean Accounting"Wiremold is one of the great pioneering examples that showed us all that Lean thinking could be done outside Toyota. It also shows what single-minded leadership can achieve in building a Lean business system that touches every aspect of the business. This book tells a very important story in the history of Lean." --Daniel Jones, Founder, Lean Enterprise Academy, and co-author ofLean Thinking