Implementing and Rolling Out a Kanban System to Dictate our Scheduling

[Bluemonkey]

I work in a manufacturing facility with several SKUs and roughly 10-12 steps that alter the product. Most SKUs are very similar along with the processes they go through, main differences are sizes and some shapes, but process is very similar. With that said, I am interested is changing over our old push system of scheduling and implement a Kanban system to dictate our scheduling. I understand Kanban and have implemented in a much smaller scale, but does anyone have any input or suggestions as to roll this out? I assume to do it in groups of SKUs to start. Any ideas would be welcomed.

 

[Michael_M]

Re: Kanban system

As I understand Kanban, I am not sure I understand what you are asking.

To me, Kanban is a system that as a buyer you send a 'signal' and your vendor ships you the product required. As the vendor, you maintain between X and Y quantity of parts (based on contract). The vendor will always maintain a quantity between X and Y and anytime the customer asks for parts, you ship to them.

They buyer does not have to have a big inventory of parts and the vendor has a PO to build enough parts that costs go down by having a larger production run (but they hold the inventory).

If this is correct, what are you planning to do?

 

[Atom_Ant]

Re: Kanban system

To me, Kanban is a system that as a buyer you send a 'signal' and your vendor ships you the product required. As the vendor, you maintain between X and Y quantity of parts (based on contract). The vendor will always maintain a quantity between X and Y and anytime the customer asks for parts, you ship to them.

The words buyer and customer in your post can also refer to work stations or cells of a process internally. I believe he is refering to using kanban to control work in process levels and maintain a smooth flow between operations.

Bluemonkey,
I would suggest the book "Leone, Gerard; Rahn, Richard D (2003). Fundamentals of Flow Manufacturing". I found it very helpful.

 

[insect warfare]

I work in a manufacturing facility with several SKUs and roughly 10-12 steps that alter the product. Most SKUs are very similar along with the processes they go through, main differences are sizes and some shapes, but process is very similar. With that said, I am interested is changing over our old push system of scheduling and implement a Kanban system to dictate our scheduling. I understand Kanban and have implemented in a much smaller scale, but does anyone have any input or suggestions as to roll this out? I assume to do it in groups of SKUs to start. Any ideas would be welcomed.

Welcome to the Cove!

A lot of manufacturing companies I know are using ERP/MRP programs such as SAP to control their production scheduling because of their flexibility in adding or removing modules, and then linking that system up with their own shop floor control, and utilizing travelers or Kanban cards to route the product in a controlled manner. Coupled with some type of electronic data interchange (or EDI) between the vendors, and well-rounded inventory management practices, this provides the "pull" they need to stay afloat in an order-driven market.

Hope I've Helped...

Brian