Lean manufacturing has been used in other manufacturing industries for years, but Tom Hall finds that reluctant printers are only just catching on When Paul Toms, operations director at Southernprint, first floated the idea of lean manufacturing to staff, there were several raised eyebrows. The prospects didn't look good. "I'm not going to lie," says Toms. "There is always scepticism when a new management initiative is introduced and lean manufacturing was no exception. Soon enough, though, our workers realised that the scheme was really benefiting them. They grew to appreciate their cleaner, safer environment that was ultimately easier to work in, and more stress-free."
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