El Paso's Lean Manufacturing
In 2011 the El Paso team launched a few lean manufacturing projects that have proven successful and provided the motivation and thought-processes towards additional projects in 2012.
Among the projects completed and launched in 2011 are:
- Corrugated Carton KanBan storage and tracking system
- Wood Pallet KanBan storage and tracking system
- 5S & Preventative Maintenance Communication boards
The carton KanBan project successfully reduced our carton inventory by 56% and has provided a more efficient tracking/monitoring tool to maintain right-sized carton inventories for each carton size and type.
The 5S/PM Communication Board is a project with the objective of improving tracking, visibility and specific needs/trends in the critical areas of 5S and Preventative Maintenance. Previous programs cover all the essentials in these areas, but lack visibility and do not offer sufficient predictability.