Manufacturing Consultants Key Terms

Learn about services manufacturing consultants can provide
By Terri Deno The main goal of any manufacturing consultant is to improve the speed and quality of production at a manufacturing business. Consultants take a careful look at the production practices to see where there is room for improvement. Manufacturing consultants will then suggest ways to implement improvements in the system. This can be small changes, but often consultants are called in to help manufacturing businesses to completely change the method in which the business produces products for consumers.

Lean manufacturing

Lean manufacturing is a practice that strives to reduce or eliminate wasteful production practices. The goal of lean manufacturing systems is to achieve more value with less work.
Try:  Lean Manufacturing Consulting provides a class with certification on lean manufacturing practices.

Six Sigma

Six Sigma is a type of business model that works to reduce or eliminate the amount of defects in the manufacturing process. Six Sigma strives for perfection in this area to provide the customer with a perfect product.
Try:  iSix Sigma provides an overview of the Six Sigma process and the different ways of achieving perfection.

Just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing

Just-in-time manufacturing is similar to a lean manufacturing approach in that it strives to eliminate areas of waste. Just-in-time manufacturing is a process of delivering labor, equipment and supplies in enough time to complete the job. This reduces unnecessary costs associated with warehousing parts and labor not needed full time.
Try:  The Department of Computer Engineering at the Curtin University of Technology provides information on just-in-time manufacturing processes.

Total quality management

Total quality management is a way to manage a business that puts the customer first. Total quality management uses a long-term approach to achieve customer satisfaction.
Try:  Bain and Company's  Management Tools and Trends 2009 Study provides an overview of total quality management, methodology and common uses of the concept.

Cost reduction

Most businesses that hire a manufacturing consultant are looking for ways to reduce overall costs to maximize profits. There are many techniques used to implement cost reduction practices in the workplace.
Try:  Half Cost Products provides information on some of the areas where a manufacturing operation can implement cost reduction techniques.

Thruput improvement

Thruput improvement is a technique that manufacturing consultants offer to increase productivity in a manufacturing business. Productivity is increased by analyzing the current system and suggesting improvements at the weakest points in the production line.
Try:  Thruput provides information on how to measure productivity and look for ways to improve thruput.