Multiple paths to lean: detector electronics, Norlen turn to specialized lean manufacturing solutions

摘要

Dick Bredehoft is a believer in the power of lean manufacturing to transform a company. He's not inclined, however, to attribute that power solely to one set of software. Bredehoft is vice president of operations for Detector Electronics Corp., a manufacturer of flame and gas detection equipment. The Minneapolis-based company went live with a new software package for lean manufacturing in April. While Bredehoft sees the system as facilitating aspects of lean, he says the company's lean transformation began years ago. Significant progress was made by applying the basic techniques of lean manufacturing, and using spreadsheet-based calculations. Still, adds Bredehoft, "We felt we needed to buy some software to achieve the next level of sophistication with lean."