Creating Mixed Model Value Streams Practical Lean Techniques for Building to Demand, Second Edition

... required reading for most firms that are serious about Lean transformation. It not only addresses a critical need for companies in a high-variety product environment, but also covers many details in developing your Lean system. It deals with more complex issues, but it is written clearly and presented in a very digestible form.It is one more step toward moving beyond copying what we see in Toyota plants and developing our own Lean production systems.-Jeffrey K. Liker, University of Michigan and Shingo Prize-Winning Author of The Toyota Way Praise for the Bestselling First Edition: Finally, a book that addresses the real world complexity of implementing lean in a mixed model environment! Creating Mixed Model Value Streams is must reading for anyone who is trying to make improvements beyond a basic value stream map. From selecting a product family to scheduling and dealing with customer demand, this book shows you how to implement a lean value stream in a way that everyone will understand.-Glynn Miller, Director, Consumer Centered Enterprise This excellent how-to guide will help set free those of us who have been handcuffed by complexity in our manufacturing systems. It translates theoretical lean into practical guidance for use in the trenches.-Al Mason, Manager, Process Improvement, Goodrich Corporation We work with companies across all industry sectors enabling them to keep increasing their levels of Lean expertise. One of the issues we see them struggle with time and again is, 'How do we make product flow when there are a variety of products in the same value stream?' Without any quality books on the topic, it has been no easy task to explain - until now. This book demystifies and simplifies the concept of Flow in complex environments. When you put the book down, you will understand there is a solution to your situation. Your only regret will be - why didn't I have this knowledge sooner.-Larry D. Cott, Lean Advisors Inc.