Lean & Green: Transforming Manufacturing with Sustainability
At Infinity Leather we embraced Lean Manufacturing principles during 2016, looking to reduce waste, optimize our resources, and enhance efficiency in our production process. This approach allowed us to focus on creating high-quality products while fostering a more engaging and sustainable work ethic.
We started following its fundamental principles, adapting them to our business:
- VALUE: The first principle of Lean is to identify what the customer perceives as value, meaning what they are willing to pay for a product or service. It is essential to focus only on activities that contribute to creating this value.
- VALUE STREAM: Map all activities and steps within the production process, distinguishing between those that add value and those that do not. Activities that do not add value are considered waste and must be eliminated.
- FLOW: Create a continuous flow of production by minimizing waiting times.The goal is to reduce cycle times and maintain a steady production process.
- PULL PRODUCTION: A system in which production is driven by customer demand rather than forecasts. This approach ensures that only what is needed is produced, when it is needed, avoiding overproduction and waste.
- PERFECTION: The ultimate goal of Lean Manufacturing is to achieve perfection. This involves a continuous pursuit of improvement and constant waste elimination to make processes increasingly efficient. “Kaizen” encapsulates this work ethic, encouraging positive change on a daily basis.
- RESPECT FOR PEOPLE: Lean is not just about process efficiency but also about actively engaging people. Lean principles emphasize valuing workers, encouraging their active participation in problem-solving and continuous improvement.
Thanks to Lean values, our store has gained numerous benefits, including an improved overall work experience. As it happened with us, these principles help companies improve quality, reduce costs, and increase customer satisfaction, creating a leaner and more responsive production environment.
