The Lean Logistics Blog

In my time spent onsite with the customer implementing PFEP (Plan-For-Every-Part) and advanced material flow techniques, I often was pulled into other projects. One of these projects was an effort to increase productivity (labor effectiveness, specifically) in a series of sub-assemblies. We were working on a single, mixed-model assembly line which was scheduled with a […]

I’ve been working in the Logistics industry for the better part of a decade now, and I’ve finally been able to identify the arch nemesis of lean practice.  This adversary is the least visible, yet in my opinion, the largest threat to the progression of our practice – the enemy of lean is the superhero. […]

We’ve all heard it, we’ve all even tried it, but what exactly is it? “Kaizen (改善): Japanese for “improvement” or “change for the better.” “Kaizen is a Japanese word constructed from two ideographs, the first of which represents change and the second goodness or virtue. Kaizen is commonly used to indicate the long-term betterment of […]

As typical of a material planner, one’s day is dealt with various challenges and obstacles.  Aware of these challenges, I typically meet weekly with the planners via conference call to reflect and identify actions/steps to improve upon the challenges and obstacles faced through the inbound supply chain. This time however, we conducted our weekly reflection […]

I began my Lean Journey on April 26, 2010. I had no idea what lean was, but I knew I wanted to learn more about it. I left my previous employer after a year and was in search of more of a career within the supply chain. I began networking and was contacted by a […]

If you could pick only one, what would you say is the single most influential area or process inside of your business that will determine your overall success, or failure, as a company for the next 20 years to come? A lot of things probably come to mind.  You might be thinking about your overall […]

The ultimate goal of lean thinking is to reduce our reliance on warehousing. However, the fact remains that warehousing and distribution center management is necessary because of extended lead times and unbalanced business process connections. Consequently, we want to manage warehousing as efficiently as possible. To accomplish this goal, we must bring lean principles into […]

When I started at the Lean Logistics Center (LLC) in Iowa a year and half ago, there was a myriad of work that needed to be done in the operation: visual management, standard work, 5S, and level flow to name a few. The question was: “where to start?” As a Process Engineer the answer was […]

Two months ago I accepted a position with LeanCor Supply Chain Group as a Lean Logistics Specialist. I was eager to jump into the logistics field. I felt I had the knowledge and skills that a young professional such as myself would need in order to be successful in the industry. Right from the beginning, […]

Faced with long lead times and high logistics costs? Looking to reduce waste and increase your profitability?  The Lean Supply Chain Practitioner Course At Laurier Executive Development Centre Laurier Executive Development Centre and LeanCor have partnered to bring you a three-day certificate course of hands-on, interactive learning, teaching you how to extend lean beyond the […]