Comments on: The Final Frontier

By: Gary Peterson

Gary Peterson — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 20:51:17 +0000

Thanks, Bruce!

It’s been a point of pride at O.C. Tanner that our significant reduction in manufacturing space has allowed the company to grow without adding additional square footage. IT and our new Recognition product has replaced the old Final Assembly and Enamel/Gum departments. What used to be our Plating Dept is now a warm, welcoming employee collaboration space. Our old tooling area is now full of machinery that makes new products.

I have noticed through the years that whenever we vacate an area we need to plan for what will take its place, because otherwise everything naturally expands to fill the space. Nature abhors a vacuum!

By: toastguy

toastguy — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 14:40:45 +0000

Jennifer – yes there is Lean method known as 3P (Production Preparation Process) that deals in part with developing workspace. Here’s are post I wrote about it five years ago: https://oldleandude.com/2012/04/19/what-does-3p-stand-for/ Unfortunately, I think you are describing the more general problem of disrespect for employees. Mazda referred to it sarcastically as the “big brain theory,” i.e., let the big brains make the decisions while all the little brains keep busy with their work. Mazda chose to reject this theory because, as it turns out, those little brains were the ones with all of the practical knowlege and experience. The real “knowledge workers” are the front line employees.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 20:34:34 +0000

My issue with space in our histology laboratory is poor design. Seems like people who know nothing about what we do and what we need design these shiny new laboratories. They show off their new development as if it were, like you say, a badge of success. Then we get left with storage shelves that don’t fit our stock, sinks that don’t fit our carboys and flooring that delaminates when we spill xylene. Is there a branch of Lean specifically devoted to new construction consultation?