A Classification Scheme for the Process Industry to Guide the Implementation of Lean

Abstract

:Lean manufacturing has traditionally been thought of as being applicable mostly to the discrete manufacturing industries since the process sector lends itself less naturally to many lean techniques. There is, however, considerable interest in extending lean to the process industries because of its dramatic results in the discrete sector. We argue that different lean techniques can be applied in varying degrees depending on the specific characteristics of the process environment. In this article we develop a general classification scheme for the process industry, which managers of companies in this sector can use in order to identify and guide the implementation of specific lean techniques that could be applicable to them.