Lean Manufacturing - Streamlining Processes and Eliminating Waste Applied to the Romanian Automative Industry

Abstract

Lean Manufacturing is currently the most important management method for the production companies. The method is used in conjunction with the quality instrument referred to as “6 sigma”, derived from the Toyota production system, and was adapted by Womack and Jones, in 1995, for the western companies, referring to the basic capabilities of the companies. Lean Manufacturing means dividing the production system into flexible assembly lines or cells, streamlining and reducing the time for complex operations. Also, implies using workers highly qualified for certain operations, well-made products, a wider range of interchangeable parts. All the above mentioned is achieved through excellent quality, which is a must, reducing costs by improving the production process, international markets and world competition. These concepts were applied by the author at TRW (Romanian company from automotive domain), with significant results.