Lean Thinking and Lean Systems

Arrival’s Van Microfactory Moving to North Carolina

Arrival, an electric vehicle startup with headquarters in the US and UK, has decided to move all of its Van production to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Instead of investing in mega production facilities, Arrival uses a microfactory model that installs assembly cells in existing facilities to build its all-electric vans. Arrival cited federal tax credit incentives, large market size, and better margins as factors in its decision to focus on the US market.

Video Spotlight:

Inside the Microfactory (Oct […]

By Anita Lee-Post, Ph.D.|2022-11-13T07:18:35+00:00November 15, 2022|Tags: JIT, lean, location, location planning, near-shoring, offshoring|

American Airlines PA Glitch: Root Cause Unknown

Halloween came early on a September 2022, American Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Dallas. Unexplained moans and groans came across the aircraft’s public announcement system.

The “unsettling” noises began just before takeoff and continued throughout the flight. Pilots and flight attendants assured passengers that everything was under control and there was no need to worry.

Video Spotlight:

American Airlines flight interrupted by sounds of ‘moaning’ PA system (Sep 26, 2022, KTLA 5)
Passengers report […]

By Lisa M. Spencer|2022-10-27T01:36:52+00:00October 27, 2022|Tags: design for maintenance, ethics, product safety, quality, service design|

Fordless Fords: Shortages Due to Regulatory Issues

Tribar Technologies is a Michigan-based supplier for Ford’s blue oval badges. Violations of an environmental protection regulation limited Tribar’s production in August, resulting in shortages of the badges for Ford’s F-Series pickups.

Ford has decided to ship many of the badgeless vehicles to dealers and retrofit once badges are available, which will increases costs for the automaker and dealers.

This part shortage is the latest in a year of supply chain crises and shortages. Ford has stated that it intends to “restructure […]

By Anita Lee-Post, Ph.D.|2022-10-13T18:16:27+00:00October 13, 2022|Tags: downstream suppliers, lean production, sourcing, supply chain strategy|

Railroad Employees Demand Changes in Operations

A major railroad strike has just been averted.

Employees complain that efficiency gains have resulted in demanding schedules and policies that penalize them for taking needed time off. Over two centuries, the railroad industry has had to reinvent itself multiple times to remain relevant and competitive. Changes in demand, supply, and competition have forced the industry to adjust to new realities and seek new paths to profitability. However, when these paths anger both customers and employees, it is time to consider […]

By CMKaruppan|2022-09-29T16:16:50+00:00October 12, 2022|Tags: competitivness, JIT, job design, lean operations, logistics, productivity, transportation|