Lean Manufacturing - Process Automation and Elimination of Production Losses in Romanian Automotive Industry

Abstract

Lean Manufacturing is currently the most important management method for manufacturing companies. The method, used in conjunction with the quality tool called “six sigma”, is based on Toyota Production System and has been adapted by Womack and Jones, in 1995, for Western companies, referring to the real basic capabilities. Lean Manufacturing means flexible assembly cells or lines, more complex works, highly skilled workers, well manufactured products, a much larger variety of interchangeable parts, compulsorily an excellent quality, reduced costs by improving the production process, international markets and global competition [2]. TRW is an example of the practical application of these concepts, in the leather product preparation sector.