Methods

Lean is a different way of thinking. Lean is a set of methods aimed to improve the profitability by eliminating waste. Key concepts are reducing setup times for equipment, standardization and creating flow. Lean is very useful if lead time reduction is needed such as shortening delivery times or lead time reduction.

Six Sigma has been developed from the perspective of quality management to improve the quality of the output of a process by identifying and removing the causes of defects and minimizing variability in manufacturing and business processes. The aim is to maximize the processes as result that products or services are in line with customer expectations. The term Six Sigma (6σ) refers to an error rate of only 0.00034%! Six Sigma was developed at Motorola in the US followed by General Electric one of the main propagandists. Typically, the improvements give financial measurable results which can be estimated in advance.

Lean Six Sigma is a worldwide used and proven method resulting in a demonstrable and sustainable improvement of the operating results. The focus is on what the customer really cares about. This approach leads to reducing costs, increasing customer satisfaction and shortening lead times at the same time. It is an investment in your own people and uses their knowledge and skills.

Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM) is a business strategy that optimizes operating result by increasing the response speed to market demands and changes. Everything is about time, precious time like response time and especially cycle time. QRM experiences and research show lead time reductions of 80% and cost savings of more than 25% which are not exceptional. Such reductions are quite common if systematically time thinking associated with QRM is applied in the whole company.

Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) has been developed from the perspective of maintenance management. TPM is all about productivity improvement starting with optimizing the machine availability. Small multidisciplinary teams work on improving the "overall equipment effectiveness' of their machines step-by-step.