Thomas Weber 
Regarding material handling in the industry, thoughts quickly turn to logistical equipment and the associated optimization issues. But hasn’t the proverbial baby already fallen into the well when aspects of logistical solutions come into focus? After all, logistical requirements are preceded by their causes. Those who know them and work on them consistently will also … Read more
Of course, the questioning title of this blog is rhetorical. Because in recent decades, both the way plant floor plans are created and their potential benefits have changed considerably. The reason for this – you guessed it – is the developments in IT and digitization. The impact of digitization on plant floor plans If we … Read more
The ability to align strategic decisions with a long-term philosophy If you are looking for the best strategy for a company, you quickly end up with Toyota’s policy. The “Toyota Way” has not only become a bestseller, but also a buzzword for strategic decision-making – a role model, and not just for large companies. Read … Read more
AGVs (automated guided vehicles) are also on everyone’s lips when it comes to forward-looking logistics concepts. Driverless is often seen as the next, higher goal after forkliftless. In lean management, however, tugger trains are the means of choice. Are AGVs now making tugger trains obsolete? In terms of transport history, the development in the 20th … Read more
Assembly lines within one-piece-flow (OPF work systems) are very popular in assembly planning. Great advantages are associated with this in lean production. In this context, particular mention should be made of the following: Short lead times, low inventories, good possibilities of automation also with the use of (collaborating) robots, continuous production and last but not … Read more
Very many, if not most, planning projects in industry involve restructuring the manufacturing site: Part of the manufacturing is to be relocated to another site. A product generation is replaced by a new one. New series order for the company is in acquisition. A turnaround technology promises growth. So space for manufacturing is needed somewhere, … Read more
Lean production methods and lean management traditionally focus on continuous improvement (KAIZEN). Many lean methods therefore logically focus on discovering waste in existing processes. In this way, they trigger the continuous improvement process in the company. In factory planning, on the other hand, completely new productions are created on the drawing board. Innovative processes are … Read more
In contrast to our illustration, which may seem sarcastic in view of climate change, production cells refer to a type of production in which different machines or workplaces are usually grouped together locally. This allows similar work on several different products to be concentrated in one area, ideally producing functionally self-contained outputs (intermediate products, assemblies). … Read more
Cardboard Engineering is a lean management method for designing workplaces on a 1:1 scale using cardboard or wooden models. This is carried out as a workshop involving the people who (will) work at the workplaces. Therefore, the Cardboard Engineering solutions are well accepted. In addition, production and processes benefit from the ideas and experience of … Read more