The 8 Wastes of Lean Manufacturing is a concept that was developed by the Toyota Production System. It is based on the idea that any process can be improved by eliminating the eight wastes of overproduction, waiting, transportation, processing, motion, inventory, defects, and underutilized people. The goal of Lean Manufacturing is to reduce or eliminate these wastes in order to increase efficiency and productivity.
Overproduction is when more of a product is made than is necessary. This leads to excess inventory, which can be costly and take up valuable space. Waiting is when resources are idle, such as when a machine is waiting for parts or when an employee is waiting for instructions. Transportation is the movement of materials or products from one place to another, which can be costly and time consuming. Processing is when resources are used to convert raw materials into a finished product. Motion is when resources are used to move materials or products from one place to another. Inventory is when materials or products are stored in excess of what is needed. Defects are when products do not meet the desired quality standards. Underutilized people are when people are not used to their full potential.
By eliminating these 8 wastes, Lean Manufacturing can help to improve efficiency and productivity, while also reducing costs. It is an important concept to understand for any business looking to streamline their processes and become more competitive.
