Chris Mosby is the Lead Director for Topper Industrial recently explained how Lean logistics ensures material flows in and out of the production facility smoothly. Lean must be applied to the material replenishment function. Because Topper Industrial applies these principles to their manufacturing process, they work with their customers in supporting their lean initiatives.
There must be reliable and detailed information for all parts that are included in the logistics system. Just as the production steps are observed and documented in detail, the details of all parts must be mapped out and documented.
Depending on the manufacturing system, parts profile, and resources it may be worthwhile to start with a spreadsheet but quickly limitations will occur. The more complex the manufacturing process, the more parts, sub-assemblies, the less effective is a spreadsheet for tracking. Engineered-to-Order (ETO) and discrete manufactures simply cannot use a basic spreadsheet to track work in process (WIP). It is ultimately antithetical to Lean best-practice.
Gathering accurate and complete information to create the PFEP (Plan for Every Part) database can be a daunting task. Keep in mind that a purchased parts supermarket, standard work for delivery routes, and linking to pull systems must all happen for Lean logistics to function properly.
Start by selecting a pilot area for conversion. This may be one cell, line, or section of a value stream. Make sure that the area selected has been converted to one-piece flow (or at least continuous small lot flow). It is more important to finish a project of limited scope and expand it across the site than to hurry a site-wide roll out.
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About Topper Industrial
For more than twenty years, Topper Industrial, (www.TopperIndustrial.com) based just outside of Milwaukee, WI, has been a leader in the material handling equipment industry. The company’s product roster features industrial carts, conveyors, lifts, lifts & tilts, shipping racks, containers, casters, and cart components. From mother-daughter carts to quad steer carts to tilt carts and rotate carts, Topper’s material handling solutions make delivering material line side more effective through more efficient practices. Topper Industrial has a team of experienced professional experts able to assess and provide the right product for all material handling equipment requirements.
Topper Industrial is a proud member of MHI. The Topper Industrial client roster includes Anderson Windows, Detroit Diesel, Honda, Kia Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Aramark, Johnson Controls, Whirlpool, and Caterpillar. Follow on Twitter @TopperInd. Call 800-529-0909.
Media Contact
Company Name: Topper Industrial
Contact Person: Jillian Burrow, Marketing Manager
Email: pr@topperindustrial.com
Phone: 262-886-6931
Address:1729 NE Frontage Road
City: Sturtevant
State: Wisconsin
Country: United States
Website: www.topperindustrial.com