The Lean Logistics Blog

“Who’s going to do it?…..You I guess” – Historical LeanCor Quote As we ramp up after the holiday break, many people will move into new and challenges roles.  A few weeks ago I was introduced to a new role of project managing various groups (internal and external) for a key customer of LeanCor.   As I […]

March 21-22, 2013 | Florence, KY Keeping with the true spirit of PDCA, we have improved this workshop to include additional gemba time – both in the Operations Center and now at a Lean Fulfillment Center warehouse! Modeled after the Shingo- award winning workbook Building a Lean Fulfillment Stream, this dynamic and highly interactive workshop teaches […]

Last month I attended the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) annual conference where I managed a support staff that consisted of smart, talented young professionals. These young professionals were there to work at the conference and serve in a support capacity.  My goal was to provide leadership and direction to these individuals so […]

Summary Shaw-an’, the Hebrew word for Lean, means “to lean on, trust, or support.” I don’t believe there is an official Lean definition to describe removing waste or applying value-add activities; but I do find it very interesting that some of the earliest forms of this definition consist of describing lean as “to support.” Support […]

I recently read Jim Womack’s Gemba Walks, which has been one of my personal favorite books to date.  Upon completion, I began to reflect on my own many gemba walks, both those in my professional career and as a consumer. As someone with a passion for lean and customer service, I quickly thought of a […]

Recently I’ve had the opportunity to be part of a start-up facility.  With any start-up comes lots of new challenges – mainly with implementation and then sustaining that implementation.  Plans are great in theory, but how do we get everyone on board and moving? As my facility team picked up speed it began to feel […]

1. Decide When to Use a PDCA The beauty of the PDCA cycle is that it can be used as a tool for the most simple project, for complex and intricately detailed projects, or as an effective tool for company-wide policy change. Use a PDCA: For development of a new product or service For improvement […]

“_____n” (often followed by “on,” “with,” etc.) Definition 1: the act of working with another or others on a joint project Definition 2: something created by working jointly with another or others Definition 3: the act of cooperating as a traitor, especially with an enemy occupying one’s own country   Struggling?  I’ll give you a […]

5S is the five step process of organizing a workplace. The five steps include: Sort Set Shine Standardize Sustain Shortly after I began working at LeanCor in September, I learned that one of my duties would include conducting a daily 5S auditing process – consisting of a walk through the office and completion of an […]

Over the years I have heard front-line associates say, “It feels like they’re imposing lean on us.”  Middle managers often feel threatened as lean principles expose problems at their levels.  There is also a fear that making a process too lean can create a different set of issues or circle back around to the same […]