Press Releases

May 2005

For Immediate Release

BOOK IS FIRST TO INTRODUCE SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR LEAN, KEY TO SUCCESSFUL, SUSTAINABLE LEAN CONVERSIONS

New York… Lean production has proven unbeatable in organizing production operations. Yet most attempts to implement lean end in disappointment and frustration because a critical aspect is often overlooked: In order to sustain a lean conversion, technical and process changes must go hand-in-hand with a new approach to day-to-day, hour-to-hour management practices.

Creating a Lean Culture -- Tools to Sustain Lean Conversions, by David Mann, provides leaders with a lean management system that standard books on lean either don't cover or only hint at. It provides the detailed, practical guidelines necessary for implementing and sustaining the elements of lean management by laying out its components, how they work together and how to implement these new practices. It is only as a result of the totality of these changes that a lean culture is cultivated.

Highlights include:

• Distinguishes the much-discussed, abstract concept of "lean culture" from the concrete, implementable practices of lean management
• Delineates the leadership practices necessary for successful lean implementation versus those needed to successfully sustain ongoing lean operations
• Describes and illustrates four key principles of lean management: leader standard work, visual controls, daily accountability and discipline, as well as key support elements including maintaining a process focus and managing key HR issues
• Moves beyond theoretical models to show how to implement the daily practices that are key to implementing and sustaining a lean transformation
• Includes specific case examples, numerous figures, photos and an assessment tool

Creating A Lean Culture will benefit operations executives, plant managers, plant line leaders, production team leaders and operations support organizations in industries such as automotive, primary metals, aerospace, medical devices and their respective supply bases. It is also recommended for industrial engineering, applied technology and operations management courses at all levels.

List price is $35.00. Complimentary review copies are available to media contacts by calling (212) 216-7865 or by e-mailing: leon.carter@taylorandfrancis.com.

About Productivity Press

Founded to provide world-class guidance for every level of an organization, Productivity Press is unrivaled in publishing high-quality material on lean manufacturing and business improvement.  Our books, learning tools and newsletter, Lean Manufacturing Advisor, are designed to help educate and support organizations in their efforts to implement the advanced management and manufacturing methodologies required to compete in today’s global business environment.