he manufacturing industry has always been about evolution . From the first spinning jennies , to assembly lines and robots , each industrial revolution reshaped how we make , move , and deliver goods .
Today , we ’ re in the throes of the Fourth Industrial Revolution , a time where advanced technologies like the Internet of Things ( IoT ), artificial intelligence ( AI ), and automation are shaking up industries once again .
In this new landscape , even tried-and-true systems like Lean Manufacturing are getting a facelift .
What Is Lean Manufacturing ? Lean Manufacturing started in the 20th century , thanks to Toyota ’ s quest to optimise production and eliminate waste . It ’ s more than just a set of tools ; it ’ s a mindset . Lean asks , “ How can we deliver value to the customer while using as few resources as possible ?”
To answer that question , it focuses on reducing waste – what it calls the “ seven deadly sins ” of overproduction , waiting , transportation , overprocessing , inventory , motion and defects .
98 March 2025