This book addresses three fundamental building blocks of JIT, namely setting up a JIT production system, improving quality, and instilling total employee involvement. JIT implementation issues are covered and supported by an industrial case study.

This book explains the implementation of just in time (JIT) production in an industrial context, while also highlighting the application of various, vital lean production tools. Shifting the trade-off between productivity and quality, the book discusses the preparation stages needed before implementing a JIT system. After an introduction to lean manufacturing and JIT, it introduces readers to the fundamentals and practice of Kaizen, paying special attention to lean manufacturing tools. The book demonstrates how to use the 5S approach (with the stages of Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu and Shitsuke), Standardized Work, Single Minute Exchange of Die (SMED) and the Kanban system. In brief, the book provides an understanding of the processes associated with the application of these tools and highlights the benefits attained by companies that have implemented JIT systems. Throughout the book, a real-world case study is used to deepen readers’ understanding of how lean manufacturing tools can be implemented. The book is ideally suited for executive courses in industrial engineering and management, but can also be used for upper undergraduate and graduate courses at universities.

Just-in-time production (JIT) is receiving widespread recognition among U.S. executives as the manufacturing system that helped make Japan our major competitor. With its proven capacity to streamline the manufacturing process, lower inventory, and improve product quality and ROI, JIT may be the basis for a renaissance in American manufacturing. This book details exactly what JIT is, how to implement it, and how to make it work in the context of American business and culture. In clear, practical terms, it discusses how to assess opportunities for change with JIT, how to develop and plan the necessary changes in production and management, and ways of motivating middle management and other employees in a JIT system. Relying on examples of companies that have implemented JIT--including cutting-edge firms such as Hewlett-Packard--The Just-in-Time Breakthrough clears up several misconceptions about the process while providing managers with models for putting it into action.

Toyota's world-renowned success proves that just-in-time (JIT) makes other manufacturing practices obsolete. This simple but powerful book is based on the seminars given by Taiichi Ohno and other senior production staff to introduce Toyota's own supplier companies to JIT. It teaches the philosophy and implementation of what many call the most efficient production system in the world. Provides a clear structure for an introductory JIT training program. Explains every aspect of the JIT system, including how to set it up and how to refine it once it's in place. Shows how to use a simple visual system to control the production process. Every day more American companies are learning that JIT works outside Japan. Now you can get started with this step-by-step book which guides you through the implementation process. Every engineer, manager, supervisor, and worker should read this book to get the clearest, simplest, and most complete introduction to JIT available in English. Results at American companies after reading this book: Lead-time on one product was reduced from 12 weeks to 4 days. Setup time on a large blanking press was reduced from eight hours to one minute and four seconds. Work-in-process has been reduced 50 percent plant-wide. Factory floor space was opened up 30 to 40 percent in every on of their plants.

Production and manufacturing management since the 1980s has absorbed in rapid succession several new production management concepts: manufacturing strategy, focused factory, just-in-time manufacturing, concurrent engineering, total quality management, supply chain management, flexible manufacturing systems, lean production, mass customization, and more. With the increasing globalization of manufacturing, the field will continue to expand. This encyclopedia's audience includes anyone concerned with manufacturing techniques, methods, and manufacturing decisions.

Draws conclusions for the future of the industry in the USA.

As supply chain management has matured, maintaining the precise flow of goods to manage schedules (and minimize inventories) on a just-in-time basis still presents major challenges. This has inspired an array of models and algorithms to help ensure the precise flow of components and final products into inventories to meet just-in-time requirements. This is the first survey of the theoretical work on computer systems models and algorithms utilized in just-in-time scheduling.