Understanding of Lean throughout its years
The application of Lean operation in Nestle firm leads to effective and efficient utilization of resources. It is made possible because of the implementation of this flexible system which allows the use of fewer resources in manufacturing. The application of Lean since 2008 in Nestle and throughout its operative years, the company has managed to make an annual savings of CHF 1.5 billion. This saving is enabled by higher productivity, low manufacturing costs, shorter cycle time and more top quality in Nestle. The more significant productivity through the use of lean means massive sales of the manufactured products to esteemed customers. This higher productivity entails accommodation of particular products features from customers placed orders (Rahaman & Lal 2017, p. 39).
The employment of Lean systems has led to less production cost. This because lean systems incorporate the application of modern technology in manufacturing of goods. Current innovation uses capital-intensive production techniques which exclude the number of people required in business operation. The reduction in labor means low production expenses hence high-profit levels. Nestle managers concerned with product improvement and quality has managed this through the utilization of lean operation (Mohamad 2014, p. 83). The attainment of 1.5 billion saving in Nestle has been made possible through the consideration of shorter cycle time. This technique fastens and shortens the manufacturing process. The response to individual customers placed orders means their maintenance in the company. Despite the fact that Nestle rapidly responses to customer’s needs, it puts into consideration the quality of the product. High technology enhanced through lean operation makes it possible for high-quality manufacturing goods. These high-quality products are fast moving and have contributed significantly to the realization of the 1.5 billion profits.
The application of Lean system includes the employment of the Sigma six models by Nestle. Throughout its existence years, the company has been fighting the war on wastage, implementation of simplified process and aggregate value goals. Six Sigma is a technique, data-driven tactic, and approach for reducing defects in any progression from production to transitional in goods. The company aims at increasing the annual 1.5 billion profits to 2 billion through the six sigma model. This anticipated approach by Nestle considers just in time production, total quality management, and lean manufacturing.
Just in time creates a highly synchronized dispensation technique in which products move through the system and services are executed, only as they are desired. This method which is currently implemented aims at timely delivery of goods to customers. The approach as under lean will get enabled by advancement in technology by Nestle. It is because timely delivery is facilitated by the speedy manufacturing process (Tshuma & Rivera 2015, p. 77). This process is currently implemented by the company also strategizing on how to respond to placed orders from esteemed customers. Just in time too cuts down additional operation costs. Between 1997 and 2007, Nestlé went from 495 factories and CHF 67 billion in sales to 480 plants and over CHF 100 billion in sales.
Implementation of Lean at Nestle Company
The Lean technique of six sigma has also maintained total quality management in Nestle. The CEO Peter Brabeck recognizes overall quality management in Nestle. It ensures inclusion of specific features as required by potential customers while maintaining quality. Brabeck postulate that administration of total quality includes cost saving in the entire production process. Through the enhancement of lean process, the quality is maintained and improved in all products. In the year 2006, the CEO Brabeck said that the lean process though consideration of total quality management would move Nestle from project-driven initiatives to a sustainable, attitude-inspired approach to maintain product quality.
The company as it practices Lean operation; it currently aims at implementing simplified manufacturing process. The simplified method means maintaining low costs while producing goods and maintaining quality. As the company presently aims at this objective, it serves its customers by through replacement of materials or parts by their demand. The implementation of lean ensures a shift from a manual system to automatic one which signifies the need for raw material and their associated cost. Brabeck said that the company branches are aiming at workload leveling to reduce the cost. It means that the initially placed orders are first sorted following a planned strict schedule (Rahaman & Lal 2017, p. 99).
Nestle faces a test to connect with everyone at all levels of the association in a frequent consistent change to quicken execution change and guarantee manageability. José Lopez as the new vice president of global operation in 2007 was given mandate by Brabeck to solve this problem. Lopez though the application of Lean process initiated a collective goal strategy. It requires that labors from different departments in different branches focus on the same goals. Lopez is presently working on the improvement of the entire Nestle manufacturing system through the cooperation of workers (Rahaman, & Lal 2017, p. 43). The quality at each source in different companies was a challenge. Lopez through lean approach suggests the automatic operation of activities to ensure continuous improvement and accelerate performance.
In Brazil, Nestlé had executed LEAN Thinking, an administration rationality concentrating on zero waste and on Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) in its plants starting in 2005. In Malaysia, semi-self-sufficient work groups (SAWTs) bleeding edge creation groups that were enabled to decide their particular objectives and bearings for development in arrangement with the organization and production line objectives had been set up since 2003 (Alvarez, Aldas & Reyes 2017, p. 90). In Australia, Nestlé had been working in scaled-down specialty units, which were like the idea of SAWTs in Malaysia. Due to the company having many branches in different countries, Lopez aimed at the establishment of a single system through a lean approach to ensure that zero waste and total manufacturing quality in all departments.
In summation, Nestle in the implementation of lean decided to ensure the sustainability of the program independently of changes in management and use one validated set of best practices. It also focused to eliminate duplication of effort and to enable sharing of learning on implementation. He initiated the targeting of the 3Cs of Lean. These included; delighting the Consumer, delivering Competitive advantage and excelling in Compliance. It was an objective to ensure that the application of lean works effectively in the Nestle Company.
The lean approach can only be implemented through the lean methodologies. This implementation incorporates the five principles of lean thinking. The policies include; Recognize Customers and State Value, class and Plan the Value Stream, Generate Flow by Eradicating Waste, Rejoin to Customer Pull and Follow Precision. The identification of buyer’s specific values entails consideration product requirement as requested by the customer. Some customer’s needs unique products and thus seek for its design in the manufacturing companies (Rahaman, & Lal 2017, p. 66). Lean through this particular request; it suggests that Nestle should stick to the outlined requirements and at the same time maintaining the cost. The lean methodologies require maintenance of product quality in all branches to ensure customer sustainability. Therefore, since Nestle has many departments across the world, the placed customer’s orders should be responded while focusing on cost.
Value streaming is the route of generating, fabricating, and providing a good or service to the market. Value streaming can be internal to the organization or external dealers in addition to internal operations. This process is enhanced through value stream management which means planning and connecting lean creativities through systematic information apprehension and analysis. The steps to value stream management include commitment to lean. It means focusing on lean vital elements such as reduction of waste and low product generation costs. The subsequent step is to choose the value stream which ensures sustainability of customer needs and maintenance of aggregate operation costs.
Value streaming also entails at learning on current trends on lean. It includes the elimination of operation disruption, making the system flexible and eliminating wastes. For example, the emphasis on removing wastes by Nestle ensures avoidance of overproduction, cutting off unnecessary transport expenses and avoiding product defects. The application of lean methodologies at all levels targets at customer satisfaction and increase in profits. All this is made practical by the elimination of the above pre-mentioned elements (Mohamad 2014, p. 11).
Nestle is a corporation with branches in 86 countries globally. An efficient and effective lean technique requires the use of the same system in the generation of goods. It guarantees a constant flow of products with the elimination of wastes. The consideration of this makes sure that all branches produce high-quality goods appealing to the targeted customers. The consistent and continuous flow of products focuses on different principles. Lean approach requires that making what is the need at the time it is necessary and in the exact amount. Therefore Nestle through the implementation of lean methodologies should ensure that it manufactures goods demanded by customers at the specified time and in requested quantity (Tshuma & Rivera 2015, p. 77).
The Nestle implementation of Lean approaches needs responding to customer pull. Customer pull means the orders placed by different buyers. This calls for the focusing of work cells as appraised in lean. Work cells guarantee continuous production of goods and configuration of work in each manufacturing process. There are principles to follow when planning the cell layout as per the lean policies (Tshuma & Rivera 2015, p. 90). Firstly, it needs the arrangement of production processes sequentially. This means that placed orders are attended one after the other referring to the time they were requested. It also targets at maintaining the system in the same level to ensure quality maintenance of the products. In the cell layout arrangement, the entire process aims at responding to the demands of the customers as per the methodologies.
The customer pull is managed through strain diagram. It means the placement of equipment and furniture in work areas is often done without accounting for the positioning that will make the work easier. The result is that much more moving about is required to accomplish the task. The String Illustration is a simple implement for examining and scheming workspaces so that association can be reduced. The basic diagram consists merely of a map of the work area, with the actual changes drawn on top. The strain diagram works closely with the lean cell policies following the basic nagare principles. The principles include flowing of materials smoothly through the multi-process cell. Obstacles that prevent the stream of materials and data are expelled. Watchful flowchart investigation is done first. Apparatuses and bolster materials all have a pre-decided place and are looked after neatly (Mohamad 2014, p. 21).
The Nagare policies as outlined in lean methodologies also focus on the product operations. The administrator strolls around the cell. Machines are stacked physically and emptied naturally; the gadgets keep on running as the administrator advances around the phone. The last operation is neighboring the first. Activities are arranged in the sequence that they will be used. It also includes optimizing the utilization of the operators. Maximize the use of multi-skilled individuals by training. The output as per the methodologies aims at producing just what is required and without surplus. Match the assembling cycle to the client request cycle. Add administrators to build yield. The implementation in Nestle involves consideration of total process perfection. Work perfection is achieved through standardization of work. Standardized work is an agreed upon set of work procedures that establish the best method and sequence for each manufacturing and assembly process. Graded work provides the basis for consistently high levels of productivity, quality and safety (Mohamad 2014, p. 44). Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are essential to help workers adhere to standardized work. From the implementation of Lean methodologies, employees need to develop Kaizen ideas when they understand the standardization of their work. The unification of work aims quality production while minimizing the associated costs.
Lead methodologies implementation also focuses on free maintenance. Autonomous maintenance has proven effective at reducing breakdowns and quality problems that disrupt the continuous flow. The maintenance steps comprise of cleaning and inspection of equipment. This eliminates failure of during the production process and thus responding to customer’s deadline. The self-directed maintenance establishes workplace management and control (Lomas 2016, p. 88). The regulation and supervision in workplace ensure coordination of activities to maintain the targeted operation costs while maintaining quality. In conclusion, lean methodologies improve the company’s performance by reducing cost and sustaining product quality.
The contribution of lean practices to the current position in Nestle includes customer engagement. Customer objections diminished by more than 30 percent, the Master Schedule Attainment level enhanced by more than 14 percent, transformation cost decrease was around more than 9 percent, and effectiveness was at 90 percent with zero mischances. The complaints reduced because the customer’s specific needs were included in the product. Lean has also contributed to low operating costs and high annual profits of 1.5 billion (Choothian 2014, p. 65). Goal alignment within all branches of Nestle is highly observed. Lean policies require the company to work while aiming at the set goals. The outlined goals as per lean comprise of low production costs, response to demand and customer satisfaction. The technical operations through lean influence are matched with the company’s overall strategy.
Leans methodologies in Nestle aimed at balancing the local agility and global efficiency. The organization has many branches across the world. The local customers have different demands with the external customers. Their satisfaction is made through the integration of the lean policies. Each of these two distinct buyers provides special requirements to be met through the generation of goods. Elements such as just in time and maintenance of quality are core aspects customer’s needs despite their localities. The lean has enhanced the scheduling of production and controlling inventory based on the downstream operation closest to the customer. Preparation and forecasting of production ensure timely delivery of placed orders at a minimal cost (Anholon & Sano 2016, p. 43).
The contribution of lean has enabled the company to carry out manufacturing assessment. Lean manufacturing assessment or gap examination is intended to be a team’s self-analysis used to ascertain precise areas for upgrading initiatives. This evaluation also allows you to set a baseline and perform “gap” analysis to compare your current state to a Lean future state. Currently, through the application of Lean policies, Nestle has been able to focus on demand. This is through determining whether the customer needs buffer and safety inventories. Buffer inventory is finished goods available to meet customer demand when ordering patterns and take vary (Choothian 2014, p. 77). Safety inventory is a finished good available to meet customer demand when internal constraints or inefficiencies disrupt the process flow. Presently, through the power of lean tactics, Nestle determines which improvement methods to use to improve process capability and to meet customer demand.
The contribution of lean has made Nestle focus on method analysis and standardization of work. Method analysis ensures that each product is manufactured through its usual generation standards to maintain the anticipated quality. On the other hand, standardization of work enhances planning on how currently placed orders will be responded to ensure timely delivery. At the moment Nestle has been able to determine the best production methods for each product. The consideration of standardization has made Nestle lower the manufacturing costs since it is in a position plan on the raw materials to be used in the generation of placed orders.
Nestle can cope with the change emerging in the industry. These changes include current trends in productions and marketing techniques. Lean provides a background of the trends in all areas of productions. Consideration of all these has made the company to satisfy customer needs through ensuring that they involve the customer in initial product design (Setianto & Haddud 2016, p. 65). The company has also maintained the supply base to ensure that all the required raw materials are provided as requested by the manufacturing unit.
Through the power of lean approaches, Nestle is in position to integrate management systems which ensures the health, safety and quality guidelines are maintained. Health considerations make sure that products do not harm the users and this builds positive image to the company. Lean aspects have enabled Nestle to consider the total quality management. It entails making sure that the produced goods are of high quality as the customers demand. The non-value added activities which increase the cost of operation are excluded through the lean practices. It has made it possible for the company to evade the unnecessary operating costs (Elnadi 2015, p. 76).
Presently the company can create value for all its activities. Lean approaches have enhanced this through sustainability of quality product quality as desired by its customer’s. The company can strategize on product development. The Lean Development approach efficiently constitutes product development for Lean manufacturing. The basic premise is to incorporate Lean preproduction preparation activities upstream in the product. By incorporating Lean grounding and scheduling activities within the suitable product advancement phases, an organization can ensure readiness at a product launch in the Lean manufacturing and supply chain environments. It eliminates wastes such as waiting time, waste or over-processing. All this has made Nestle dominate a significant market share and realizing substantial profit amounts. The company is presently enjoying the benefits of the lean product development (Beckers 2015, p. 90). Lean Development primarily represents the more significant part of the components of the Lean assembling and store network conditions amid item advancement. Lean Development accomplishes lessened item advancement process durations and better coordination at item dispatch bringing about the decreased hazard, enhanced quality, more astounding yields, and higher edges at new item presentation. Lean Development gives a direct approach to start the Lean adventure in designing because the procedure is moderately un-nosy and in this manner has an insignificant social effect on the building association.
Move through operations from one step to the other (step-to-step) without work in progress between any of the cells occurring in the sequence. Therefore, Nestle Company achieves above one piece flow through a number of conditions. first, processes are allowed to consistently produce high quality products. In case management identifies any issue, then it would be impossible to proceed. Second, the system allows repetition in process times. This helps eliminate cases of variations in products. Furthermore, management ensures that equipment are of high uptime. This implies that equipment is always available to run. This has helped in eliminating cases of plagues in processing cells. Last, management has also ensured scaling of all processes towards takt time. The company does this to meet customer demands from different markets.
Conclusion
Nestle company should stick to lean application for efficient operation of activities. It is because they help in cutting down production costs and responding to customer’s needs. They also ensure just in time delivery, the use of the same system in all branches to provide an offering of same services to the customers. The company should keep in focusing on the standardization of work to ensure that customer wants and demands are guaranteed. The lean policies aim at the overall reduction of the manufacturing costs. Therefore, Nestle should make sure that the operation costs are maintained at low prices to attain the targeted profits. Waste in production leads to losses, and thus it means that the company through the guidance of lean approaches should avoid all the associated manufacturing wastes. Residues, in this case, include; overproduction, use of wrong raw materials, unnecessary transport costs and lack of customer involvement in designing unique product (Beckers 2015, p. 55). The company should also commit to the management of lean processes. The administration includes; establishing and maintaining clarity of purpose, committing human resources to lead daily lean activities and allocating the time and resources for training. Nestle should assure that the team possesses a working knowledge of lean tools. It should also ensure constant communication with the unit in other countries and monitoring activities.
The removal of roadblocks that prevent team’s progress should also be focused. Effective and efficient lean application requires the use of money. Therefore, there should be an allocation of appropriate funds within a short period by providing clear incentives for the team’s success. Another recommendation is that Nestle should stay flexible with the date and times of the customer projects and ensure total employee involvement. It should also participate actively throughout the value stream process (Alvarez, Aldas and Reyes 2017, p. 32). The Nestle managers, supervisors, and workers should spend the time precisely and learn the lean approaches. Reorganization of the facility in all branches is very critical for customer wants satisfaction. This modification ensures that all the demand of the customers is met manufacturing goods. There is also need to study the lean practices of the competitors. It helps to cope with the market competition forces and locate the target market niche to sell the products. The use of lean methods also leads to improvement of manufacturing process reliability. Reliable production process ensures a constant flow of goods to the market and thus coping with the prevailing demand conditions.
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