“Fat” organizations use a push system. In such a system, goods are produced and handed off to a downstream process, where they are stored until needed. This type of system creates excess inventory with its attending complications. Lean organizations, on the other hand, use a pull system, in which goods are built only when a downstream process requests them. The customer then “pulls” the product from the organization.
The final operation in a production process drives a pull system. Customer-order information goes only to the product’s final assembly area. As a result, nothing is produced until it is needed or wanted downstream, in this case, the organization produces only what is needed.
A pull system streamlines the flow of materials through your production process.
Pull systems greatly improve organization’s productivity through the following:
Adebayo is a thought leader in continuous process improvement and manufacturing excellence. He is a Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt (CSSMBB) Professional and Management Systems Lead Auditor (ISO 9001, 45001, ISO 22000/FSSC 22000 etc.) with strong experience leading various continuous improvement initiative in top manufacturing organizations.
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