A case study of lean, sustainable manufacturing
Abstract: A small furniture
production company has integrated lean tools and sustainability concepts with
discrete event simulation modeling and analysis as well as mathematical
optimization to make a positive impact on the environment, society and its own
financial success. The principles of lean manufacturing that aid in the
elimination of waste have helped the company meet ever increasing customer
demands while preserving valuable resources for future generations. The
implementation of lean and sustainable manufacturing was aided by the use of
discrete event simulation and optimization to overcome deficits in lean’s
traditional implementation strategies. Lean and green manufacturing can have a
more significant, positive impact on multiple measures of operational
performance when implemented concurrently rather than separately. These ideas
are demonstrated by three applications.
Keywords: lean manufacturing,
green manufacturing, case-study, discrete event simulation, optimization
Author: Geoff Miller, Janice
Pawloski, Charles Standridge
Journal Code: jptindustrigg100024
