I would like to know how lean Manufacturing affect the employee. What role do the worker play in this?

Question

I would like to know how lean Manufacturing affect the employee. What role do the worker play in this?

Answer 1

Good one! In a traditional production set up lean manufaturing will eliminate as much wastes as possible in the operations.

Before an employee could produce 100 parts per hour, by reducing wastes such as waiting and transport he will produce 120 p/h (for ex.).

Consecuence: the operator produce more for the same labour cost. So, 1) the company make more profit 2) the company become more competitive

(if the business case was beeing more productive)

From an employee point of view 1) it is more parts to do at the end of the day (he might not be happy about that and feel the efforts in his body) 2) it is also a win win situation, a more profitable company or a company that is answering better the custumer need is more likely to survive, and the employee might have a secure job tomorrow

The role of the employee: bring his intelect and experience. Employees are the one in the trenchees. They have ideas and shoud be involved in the changes.

And a good one to finish: Lean manufaturing usually claim that employees should work "smarter not harder" ... well that's not a very good thing to say, because it is harder to process more parts in a day ... but then again it is what the company pay you for (not to waste time or money)

Answer 2

More production lead more profit for the company which lead more comfort to them to pay more to their employees.