Tru-Test – a New Zealand agri-tech company that makes electric fence systems, animal weighing and recording equipment and milk meters – has become a top proponent of Lean manufacturing within the country, the New Zealand Herald reports. Jason Kiteley, operations manager at Tru-Test, was quick to note that many local manufacturers think it's cheaper to
Continue reading »Companies can be complex entities, with multiple levels and hierarchies. However, when it comes to determining whether employees will stay with a company, few things matter more than engagement with the person directly above them. This is why it's so crucial that companies effectively train their managers – it could determine the productivity and turnover
Continue reading »In the United Kingdom, public spending budgets have declined and organizations are now dealing with a greater number of restrictions. However, according to Public Service, the Ministry of Justice is using Lean practices as a way to drive innovation and arrive at cost-efficient solutions. “This program provides a set of tools and techniques, supported by
Continue reading »Many companies, regardless of industry, are looking to integrate Lean mindsets and Kaizen tenets as a means of creating a more efficient company that is able to bolster productivity while spending less money. However, in order to achieve this transformation, Industry Week was quick to note that leaders must be willing to accept these changes
Continue reading »When it comes to business, it matters very little how organizations leverage the greatest technology or get rock-bottom prices for their resources if their employees aren't willing or able to take advantage of these perks. Skillful employees remain the backbone of any established company, which is why firms need to develop strong training programs that
Continue reading »Businesses have frequently touted the anecdotal evidence of employee engagement. However, a BlessingWhite report puts some quantifiable numbers behind why it's so important to truly interact with employees and create a supportive work environment. For example, firms with a highly engaged workforce had total shareholder return that was 19 percent higher compared to other companies.
Continue reading »For many years, companies across the globe thought sustainability was the antithesis of profitability, and there was no possible way for a company to succeed while also being eco-friendly. However, a variety of industries have found that couldn't be further from the truth. In particular, the pork production sector has noted very little change in
Continue reading »Applying Lean thinking to accounting and financing practices may not be easy, but it's certainly doable, explains Manufacturing Digital. As the source notes, the key is keeping track of the core tenet of Kaizen: The elimination of waste. From there, financial firms should also consider other facets, such as encouraging upper management involvement, providing employees
Continue reading »The Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) National Lean Conference is currently taking place at the Winnipeg Convention Center in Manitoba, Canada, where more than 750 attendees will share tips and learn how Lean can benefit their companies. The number of individuals in attendance highlights how prominent Lean manufacturing has become in the sector and beyond,
Continue reading »Hospitals and other healthcare organizations are going through some radical changes. Part of this is brought on by the push to adopt new medical technologies, such as electronic health records. Another influencing factor is the desire to do more with less – many healthcare organizations are dealing with more patients as aging Baby Boomers continue
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