Title: Lean manufacturing in the screw cutting sector: assessment of maturity level

Authors: Barbara Lyonnet, Maurice Pillet, Magali Pralus

Addresses: Laboratoire SYMME, Universite de Savoie, Domaine Universitaire BP 804439, 74944 Annecy-le-Vieux Cedex, France. ' Laboratoire SYMME, Universite de Savoie, Domaine Universitaire BP 804439, 74944 Annecy-le-Vieux Cedex, France. ' Laboratoire SYMME, Universite de Savoie, Domaine Universitaire BP 804439, 74944 Annecy-le-Vieux Cedex, France

Abstract: This paper describes a methodology developed to evaluate the level of maturity in companies regarding their understanding of lean manufacturing and application. We present the results of a self-assessment questionnaire that we developed for screw cutting sector companies. A strong application of practices connected to the measurement of performance and to standards was observed. On the other hand, a low level of maturity in practices relating to one-piece flow, problem solving and value stream mapping was demonstrated. We also wondered to what extent the high level of a lean practice reflects the level of maturity of the other practices. We then carried out a factor analysis according to the lean practices of the companies studied. The positive correlations which appear in our results show the existing similarity of all of the lean practices. This result can translate the close link between common lean concepts, as the lean being considered a system and not a simple collection of principles.

Keywords: lean manufacturing; lean maturity; manufacturing companies; methodology; screw cutting; maturity assessment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRAPIDM.2010.034249

International Journal of Rapid Manufacturing, 2010 Vol.1 No.3, pp.256 - 277

Published online: 30 Jul 2010 *

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