|
Here
we present the results of five
quantitative studies of how focused factory concepts
affect operating performance.
Five
Quantitative Studies
Reduced Overhead In Focused Factories
Multi-Division Companies
Steel Foundry Focus
Basic Metals
Workcell Level Focus
One
might conceivably argue with the conclusions. For example:
-
The
studies show correlation, not causality. There may be other
explanations.
-
Why
is there so much scatter in the data?
-
Does
this really hold for other industries?
These
points are valid, to a degree.
Manufacturing
Strategy, like any strategy is complex, ephemeral, vague and
subject to the whims and chance of nature. It does
not lend itself to the kind of rigorous analysis used for the
stress in a wing spar. Nevertheless, this is some of the best
quantitative evidence we have.
The
Focused Factory is not a "Magic Bullet". It
is, rather, one piece of a Lean
Manufacturing Strategy, appropriate for many firms,
when combined with other complementary elements of Lean. |
Then,
there is the question of implementation. No
strategy is effective if the implementation is ineffective.
Nor
can Focused Factories or Manufacturing Strategy compensate
for unsound corporate or marketing strategies.
For
example, some years ago we worked with a computer firm that
dominated an important market niche. They developed and executed
a highly successful Lean Manufacturing Strategy. Unfortunately,
their new products did not materialize, technologies
changed and the company has disappeared.
The
Focused Factory Series
Focused Factories & Lean Manufacturing
Characteristics of Focused Factories
Key Manufacturing Task
Focused Factory Example
Benefits
Plant-Within-Plant
Reader Comments
References
LEE,
QUARTERMAN,
How To Optimize Manufacturing Focus", Managing
Technology Today, Vol. 1, No. 5, September/October, 1992.
LEE,
QUARTERMAN, "Manufacturing Focus - A Comprehensive
View", Operations Management Association (OMA) Conference
Proceedings, Warwick, England, June, 1990.
SKINNER,
WICKHAM, Manufacturing In The Corporate Strategy", John Wiley
& Sons, New York, 1978
SKINNER,
WICKHAM, The Focused Factory, Harvard Business Review, May-June,
1974.
WRENNALL,
WILLIAM, AND LEE, QUARTERMAN, Handbook of Commercial and
Industrial Facilities Management, McGraw Hill, August, 1993. |
