How do whiteboards support Lean Manufacturing?
Lean Manufacturing - aka Just in Time, the Toyota Method, etc. - is all about simplification in the supply chain and manufacturing process. Parts and assemblies are procured or produced only in the amount needed at the moment by the next step in the chain or process, thereby reducing inventory on hand all the way through the process, saving material, time and storage space. In order to accomplish this, timely signals need to be communicated though-out the process to initiate procurement or production of items.
Whiteboards have proven to be vital to the signaling/reporting tasks and have largely replaced centralized ERP systems due to their instant communication - a dry marker and a glance are all that is needed, not reams of computer printout as in prior days. In addition, our whiteboards also help businesses be compliant in acquiring an ISO 9001 certified quality management system.
We manufacture popular lean manufacturing designs as well as full custom designs. Our popular designs include;
Cell Status Whiteboard
This design displays up-to-the-minute performance information for a production cell (a small group of people producing a component in the production chain). It includes the hourly performance versus the goal, month and year to date performance along with action items, repairs or problems to be addressed. This design makes it easy to analyze both the daily efficiencies along with the monthly and yearly performance all on one whiteboard.
Continuous Improvement Whiteboard
This whiteboard design features graphic presentations of group metrics which can track the key success indicators of a Lean Manufacturing business model. On one whiteboard you can keep an active pulse on metrics such as shipments, on-time deliveries, and customer returns on a monthly basis and compare them to your established goals.
Fishbone Whiteboard
Our Fishbone Chart Whiteboard makes it easy to track problems or reach a desired solution with a classic cause and effect diagram. The classic fishbone diagram helps your team visually track issues to focus on the root cause of a problem rather than focusing on the symptoms. So when your organization is dealing with problems, you can easily break them down and address them so everyone is working towards the optimal solution.
Five Why Whiteboard
Similar to the Fishbone Chart Whiteboard, our Five Why Whiteboard helps you better address problems. A reliable tool popular in lean management, the Five Why method helps uncover the true nature of a problem so it can be properly addressed so it doesn't occur again.
T-Card Kanban Whiteboard System
Our T-Card Kanban Whiteboard System allows for easy visualization of the Kanban production process. Color-coded Kanban T-Cards represent items to be procured, assembled or provided in the process. Our magnetic T-Card holders are fully customizable to your unique production process to help keep your production process flowing.
