New Manufacturing Challenge: Techniques for Continuous Improvement (Hardcover)

by Kiyoshi Suzaki (Author) "Unfortunately there is too much waste in our work environment..." (more)
Key Phrases: line stop concept, work combination charts, multiprocess handling, West Coast, United States, Silicon Valley (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Maintaining world competitiveness has been the clarion call for many industries in the 1980s. For manufacturing companies, improving production efficiency has been the key. This work lays out specific suggestions for improving manufacturing techniques on the shop floor. The chapters, profusely illustrated, treat topics such as quick setup, job rotation, U-shaped production lines, and preventive maintenance. In each, the author uses his diverse experience as an efficiency expert for several leading consulting houses to good advantage. However, the volume lacks a strong philosophical framework and comes off rather like a dry list of helpful hints. Recommended only for production specialists. Gene R. Laczniak, Coll. of Business Administration, Marquette Univ., Milwaukee
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
Brian Kelley Plant Manager, Cummins Engine Company Suzaki's book is a practitioner's book -- not another theory book. -- Review

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 255 pages
• Publisher: Free Press (July 22, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0029320402
• ISBN-13: 978-0029320402
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #231,806 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, balances concepts and details very nicely, March 8, 1999

By	Robert J Krausert "bobktoc" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

Anybody interested in reducing manufacturing cycle times should read this book (among others) to get some great examples of what can be done. It has many very specific examples and strong fundamental concepts. Very easy to read as well.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars plus, May 17, 2001

By	J. head (littlteton, nh USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is THE book for hands-on actual implementation of lean production techniques. This book answers the difficult problems accompaning implementation of the Toyota Production System. It is written in an easily understood straight-forward style. In my opinion this is the best book on boosting shopfloor efficiency. It does not shy away from discussing the problem areas. The author proves he has "been there and done it". An example is the Kanban system usually described in most books as a sytem where cards control the shop floor work flow. This book describes in detail various Kanban systems to handle the situations where the work flow is interrupted by processes requiring outside vendors or where an operation such as heat treating will slow the process. I rated this book five stars because it discusses real problems and solutions.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best on the Toyota Production Systems, March 10, 1998

By A Customer

The book covers the basic concepts often associated with Toyota Production System. Suzaki takes it one step farther by adding his own creativity and experiences as a lean manufacturing consultant. This is one of the best and most inspirational books I have read on the subject of continuous improvements. ~ Rhett A. Cooper