Lean supply chain strategy impacts

Mother nature has a way of testing the resilience of supply chain strategies, especially lean and JIT inventory techniques. ...

... "The strategy of keeping inventories lean paid off for U.S. manufacturers during the recession. Just-in-time delivery of parts makes even more sense when budgets are tight. Now that a giant ash cloud from a volcano in Iceland is disrupting global air freight, some manufacturers are finding that this strategy is backfiring. " ...

Via Associated Press: Low inventory and volcano trip up US manufacturers

Porsche Lean Manufacturing Modernization

Porsche CEO steps down after taking business risks and transforming his company into an efficient manufacturer, using lean production techniques. ...

... "Within two years he managed a surprise turnaround by trimming the product line-up, modernizing the production system based on Toyota's lean manufacturing system, and negotiating new work rules with the unions. " ...

Via Reuters: Porsche

Six Sigma Financials

ProcessArc launches Six Sigma training for the financial services sector, offering certification and focusing on roles, such as Green Belt, Black Belt, General Employee and Executive. ...

... "Our goal is to provide better training options for anyone who wants to use the principles of Six Sigma to reduce costs and process risk while optimizing service and revenue for their financial services firms. Those who use our proprietary industry specific training have found that every $1 invested has generated an average return on investment of $650. ProcessArc has delivered Financial Services Six Sigma training in private customized sessions for 4 years. " ...

Via ProcessArc: Financial Services with Six Sigma

3M Six Sigma Culture: Risk Averse ?

3M adds manufacturing capacity to drive growth. Six Sigma focus may have clouded its judgement with regards to investing for growth. ...

... "In the past, a 3M culture that viewed new investment with circumspection and an over-reliance on the Six Sigma management technique made it shy of building some needed capacity, Buckley said. " ....

Via MarketWatch: 3M