Lean manufacturing in the screw cutting sector: assessment of maturity level

Abstract

This paper describes a methodology developed to evaluate the level of maturity in companies regarding their understanding of lean manufacturing and application. We present the results of a self-assessment questionnaire that we developed for screw cutting sector companies. A strong application of practices connected to the measurement of performance and to standards was observed. On the other hand, a low level of maturity in practices relating to one-piece flow, problem solving and value stream mapping was demonstrated. We also wondered to what extent the high level of a lean practice reflects the level of maturity of the other practices. We then carried out a factor analysis according to the lean practices of the companies studied. The positive correlations which appear in our results show the existing similarity of all of the lean practices. This result can translate the close link between common lean concepts, as the lean being considered a system and not a simple collection of principles.