Lean Transformation ~ Hardback ~ Suresh Patel

Books in the Quality and Business Excellence series can help readers improve customer value and satisfaction by integrating the voice of the customer into design, manufacturing, supply chain, and field processes. Lean Transformation: Cultural Enablers and Enterprise Alignment is about the Lean system. It begins by describing the reasons why so many Lean implementations fail and explaining why managers need to focus their valuable time on early adopters rather than on trying to convert resistors. This book describes the guiding principles of the Shingo process for continuous improvement layout and evaluation. It examines the principles, systems, and tools of continuous improvement and demonstrates how to deploy these proven methods in plants and distribution centers. The book covers time-tested continuous improvement process tools and practices, including the visual workplace, mistake proofing, PDCA, 5S, Heijunka, standard work, Kaizen, and value stream mapping. It also examines Lean performance measures and introduces a comprehensive Lean tool assessment system. Presenting seven proven techniques for altering and guiding a Lean culture, the book identifies a formal process for overcoming common roadblocks. It also illustrates the proliferation of the Lean initiative across an organization's various sites. This book describes how proper assessment of Lean system tools can help your organization remain focused on system standardization and boost your organization's sustainability efforts. It includes job descriptions of various roles in the improvement process, including those for Lean supervisor and Lean team leader, as well as a glossary that defines key terms.Author BiographySuresh Patel is a former Technical Director and Operations Excellence Executive. He earned his BE degree in electrical engineering from M.S. University of Baroda, India, his master's degree in production technology from South Bank University, London, and an MBA degree from the University of Texas at Brownsville. He is qualified as a Certified Reliability Engineer, Certified Quality Engineer, and Certified Management Systems Auditor by the American Society for Quality. In his long career spanning more than four decades, he has developed a wide range of products/processes and has helped in establishing six manufacturing plants in India and five US plants in Mexico. Starting with India, his career path has enabled him to work in industries in the UK, Denmark, Belgium, Canada, USA, China, Mexico, and Chile. His career has been enriched through holding key positions with such multinational corporations as Gestetner, Motorola, United Lighting Technologies, Eaton Corporation, and Fiat Global.