Lean Manufacturing Work Culture Tips From Bosch Rexroth and GBMP

BUCHANAN, MI--(Marketwire - December 10, 2009) - Bosch Rexroth and well-known lean manufacturing training organization GBMP have collaborated on three informative new podcasts in the Rexroth lean manufacturing podcast series. In the first podcast, GBMP president Bruce Hamilton offers his insight on three fundamental components of success with lean manufacturing.

-- The Foundation of the lean system is the most critical. The foundation explains the reasoning behind a particular operation or system.

-- The Management component means that management must support the lean system in a visible way, because it likely represents a major change in the way business is done.

-- Countermeasures are often what receive the most attention in lean environments. Countermeasures are not a means to an end, but rather a part of the overall solution.

When implementing the three components of a lean system, consider these tips to help develop and improve your lean manufacturing work culture:

-- Make sure to use all three parts of the lean system.

-- Management should be out in their factory and workplace to demonstrate their commitment to the process. The best knowledge for improvement comes from the people who do the work.

-- Involve employees and give them the opportunity to help fix problems that they face every day.

-- Always look to improve countermeasures.

"Three Fundamental Components of Lean: Foundations, Management and Countermeasures" is episode number 13 in Rexroth's lean manufacturing podcast series, available for listening or free download from the company's website at http://www.boschrexroth-us.com/leanpodcast. The podcast series is also available from the iTunes podcast library and other podcast directories on the web.

Developed by Bosch Rexroth's Linear Motion and Assembly Technologies group, each eight- to ten-minute lean manufacturing podcast episode presents guest experts and information to help manufacturers and OEMs understand and apply lean principles and practices in their businesses.

Quotes:

Bruce Hamilton, president of GBMP

-- "When you're not starting out with that foundation, you're asking people to do something without explaining why it's important."

-- "In order for this process to work, management has to accept changing the management system so that they'll promote behaviors with employees that are conducive to improvement."

Contact Information: Editorial Inquiries: Todd Walter Godfrey 717-393-3831 twalter@godfrey.com Kevin Gingerich Bosch Rexroth Corporation Linear Motion and Assembly Technologies 816 East Third Street Buchanan, MI 49107 Telephone 269-697-5295 kevin.gingerich@boschrexroth-us.com