A VSM improvement-based approach for lean operations in an Indian manufacturing SME

Abstract

The current economic environment in the Indian manufacturing industry is offering a perfect opportunity to SMEs of this country to develop and grow by acting as suppliers of large multinational original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). To meet the challenge of offering high standards of quality, cost and delivery (QCD) to these multinational OEMs, Indian manufacturing SMEs must implement effective approaches, such as lean manufacturing, to continually and systematically improve their operations. However, the academic literature indicates that the adoption of lean manufacturing and some of its tools, such as value stream mapping (VSM), by Indian manufacturing SMEs is feeble, or in many cases lean initiatives have been unsuccessful. This paper presents a successful application of VSM in an Indian manufacturing SME. The results of the study and operational improvements achieved indicate that the application of VSM is an effective