Principles of Mass and Flow Production [Paperback]

Frank G. Woollard (Author), Bob Emiliani (Contributor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 097225918X | ISBN-13: 978-0972259187 | Publication Date: January 5, 2009 | Edition: Anniv Spec R

Principles of Mass and Flow Production is a 55th Anniversary Special Reprint Edition of Frank G. Woollard's long-forgotten book published in 1954, and includes Woollard's amazing 1925 paper "Some Notes on British Methods of Continuous Production." Both are presented as unabridged digitized images of the original works, and include commentary and analysis by noted Lean management practitioner, author,and educator, Bob Emiliani, Ph.D. Frank G. Woollard made major contributions to progressive manufacturing management practices in the British automobile industry of the 1920s, and was also the first to develop and implement mechanical materials handling equipment known as automatic transfer machines while working at Morris Motors Ltd., Engines Branch, in Coventry, U.K. His work is comparable to that of the legendary Taiichi Ohno, the principal architect of Toyota Motor Corporation's production system, and suggests that the timeline for discoveries and attributions of key accomplishments must be revised. Woollard deserves widespread recognition for his own groundbreaking achievements, which lie between the time of Henry Ford and Kiichiro Toyoda, the founder of Toyota Motor Corporation. His work is highly relevant to current-day Lean management, in that he understood the idea and practice of continuous improvement in a flow environment. Woollard also recognized that flow production will not work properly if used by management in a zero-sum manner, which is an insightful and distinctive feature of Woollard's flow production system, and shows he understood the importance of what is today called the "Respect for People" principle in Lean management. Woollard's remarkable work in flow production and his prescient innovations in industrial automation ensure him a prominent place in the history of production engineering, automation, and industrial management. Readers interested in Lean management, the evolution of flow production, and the history of industrial management and automation will find this book to be entertaining, informative, and a valuable resource for future reference.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This 55th Anniversary Special Reprint Edition of Principles of Mass and Flow Production, revives the brilliant work of a practical engineer named Frank George Woollard (1883-1957), M.B.E. M.I.Mech.E. M.I.Prod.E. M.S.A.E. Woollard sought to apply a modified form of the production methods pioneered by Henry Ford to the British automobile industry. In addition to his successful application of flow production in the first decades of the 1900s, he was the first to develop and implement mechanical materials handling equipment known as automatic transfer machinery. He did so some 25 years before this type of equipment would become commonplace in industry.

Frank G. Woollard's work is of great importance because it significantly expands our understanding of progressive management practices in the British motor industry in the mid- to late-1920s, and also informs us of new contributions that likely helped shape today's practice of Lean management.

From the Author

I am proud to present to you a remarkable book that has been, until now, long forgotten. It was written by a man who contributed greatly to progressive manufacturing management practices in the early 1900s. This very important book uncovers a missing link in the development and evolution of Lean management.

The Lean community is largely unaware of Frank G. Woollard's pioneering work. My contribution to the Special Reprint Edition corrects this deficiency by providing detailed commentary and analysis that contextualizes Woollard's work and establishes his place in the history of flow production.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: The CLBM, LLC; Anniv Spec R edition (January 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 097225918X
• ISBN-13: 978-0972259187
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,609,403 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4.0 out of 5 stars Lean Management Roots are Deeper than Toyota and Ohno, October 2, 2009

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This review is from: Principles of Mass and Flow Production (Paperback)

Frank Woollard clearly understood Lean management principles and practices in ways that today we think of as revolutionary and break-through. Until now, all Lean writings and learnings have lead us to believe that the roots of Lean come from Taiichi Ohno. Frank Woolard has been grossly overlooked as a significant early thinker in Lean management principles and practices. Bob Emiliani has once again been a leader in understanding Lean and his careful, thorough research has brought to light a body of Lean knowledge largely ignored. Thank-you Bob for having the courage to think independently and sharing your findings with the world. This book is a must read for those who want to understand how the common sense of Lean was recognized not only by Ohno but by Frank Woollard who preceeded Ohno.