Lean Roadmap

Lean Roadmap is the resource that clearly defines in logical building block steps the design of a lean vision for both material flow and information flow throughout your supply chain. Prior to Lean Roadmap, lean design and implementation for the most part addressed equipment arrangement into cells. After all we can see and touch the equipment and the layout practically defines itself. What has been overlooked and all but devoid from lean design is the information flow aspect of lean, how to configure and utilize MRP/ERP business software for a successful lean implementation. Realization of the full benefits of lean cannot be attained until the information flow processes have been designed and implemented. Lean Roadmap introduces a complete, logical and systemic process utilizing the investment in your business software for a lean supply chain design. The supply chain requires proper design, planning and ongoing management to realize attainment of goals.

First as a member of a senior management team and more recently as a business consultant specializing in lean manufacturing implementation, Howard Thomes has enjoyed a long career of business improvement and turn-around assignments, small and large. His experiences led him to write Lean Roadmap, a step-by-step process illustrating the building block steps that must be mapped and designed to ensure a successful lean implementation.

Lean Roadmap is a relatively new term, and the processes defined in this book will also be new to many of you. The author has successfully implemented lean processes at many manufacturing businesses and has worked with aggressive management and implementation teams as both an employee and external resource.

This book is a contribution to those of you who are struggling with lean—what to do and how to get there. Lean Roadmap removes the mystique of lean, and will make the lean improvement process at your business logical. A company president or CEO who lacks the time to be sufficiently trained in the lean practices will easily learn the process steps required to achieve the desired results.

Howard Thomes began his "real job" career as a machinist/toolmaker and progressed to Vice President of Manufacturing Operations for a successful division of a Fortune 1000 business. In 1991, he formed Bottom Line Consultants, a virtual business model, with a pool of seasoned professionals who are called upon to support client needs as required. This business model allows for the matching of resources to specific client needs, providing real value in shortened implementation times.