34 AEROSPACEMANUFACTURING
Fred Moser, CEO of UK-based Techno Group, provides
Simon Simmons with an overview of a tier two supplier’s journey
along the demanding road that leads to Lean manufacturing
THE ROAD
TO LEAN
T
hose title words sound like an old- and keep coming back to you without every move you make, except maybe for
time 1950s movie starring Bing question, your profits are excellent, your the customer.
Crosby, Bob Hope and Dorothy bank manager loves you, and in fact When practised properly lean involves
Lamour. However, in today’s industrial most things in the garden are wonderful, an organisation being totally customer
scene the real meaning is not nearly then again, the journey to lean is not focused. Where would we be without
so funny or humorous, and defines a one which you should undertake. This is our customers? However, it does not just
much more serious, and much harder maybe because you are very lucky in spite mean external customers, the term also
journey which should not be undertaken of yourselves or perhaps, and more likely, applies to internal customers. It means
lightly or without strong and carefully you have already completed that exciting many champions all pulling in the same
considered advice. and adventurous journey to Lean without direction, supporting all their colleagues
If you and your colleagues believe in telling anybody about it. within the organisation to supply
spontaneous decision making and have So what is meant by ‘Lean product, of unquestionable quality in an
an autocratic management style based Manufacturing’. Many clever industrial efficient and productive manner to your
more on day-to-day crisis management and academic experts have written many customer on time at a price which often
and gladiatorial combat with your hundreds of thousands of words on is dictated by the customer and which
workforce, perhaps the road to Lean the subject, but in essence the practice they are willing to pay, while still allowing
might not suit your organisation. of Lean involves an all encompassing a profit margin for the supplier.
If you are perfectly happy with the philosophy of management. It is not a This may appear to be a tall order to
way your business and your life is going, list of instructions, it is a way of life. In many. However, if waste is eliminated
your staff are productive and happy, your some ways it can be likened to a religion from the business operation it is
customers also are happy and content but without a superior being watching surprising how much can be achieved and
AM_jul07_p34-35_lean.indd 34 29/6/07 14:04:53
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