FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOW, TPS CAN BE APPLIED IN JOB SHOP ENVIRONMENTS

NEW YORK … Toyota Production System methods have produced remarkable results in high-volume manufacturing plants, but they have not been fully understood and correctly applied in high-mix, low-volume environments. While lean principles do apply, the implementation methods and tools must be adapted and alternate methods embraced in a low-volume environment.

Productivity Press' new book, Made-to-Order Lean - - Excelling in a High-Mix, Low-Volume Environment, is a practical guide that introduces the Toyota Production System (TPS) in job shop environments. It is specifically geared for manufacturers that have hundreds to thousands of active part numbers with few or no ongoing forecasted volumes and for job shops that build only to order. In addition, it applies to companies that remanufacture or repair products.

The primary foci of Made-to-Order Lean are eliminating non-value-added activities (those activities that do not actually work on and transform the product) and instituting improvements on the most repetitive jobs -- a strategy that gives the reader more time to produce low-volume work or one-offs.

This compelling workbook is:

• Based on Toyota methodology and explains how to implement critical adaptations for high-mix, low-volume manufacturing.
• Fully illustrated with charts and photos from successful applications in low-volume environments.
• Comprehensive, including an Implementation Flow Chart that will help you customize for your shop.
• Written in a simple, logical fashion by a former Toyota employee with more than 15 years of hands-on experience.

Made-to-Order Lean is a must-have for plant managers, manufacturing managers and lean practitioners who need to apply lean principles effectively in their job shops, re-manufacture/repair operations and high-mix, low-volume plants.

About the Author
Greg Lane learned lean directly from senior Toyota Production System sensei during his stint at GM's venture with Toyota, New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI), as one of the fortunate few to go through highly specialized "TPS Key Person Training" at the hands of Toyota's most experienced TOS sensei in Toyota City, Japan. Following years of learning TPS in diverse settings, Lane directly managed the implementation of TPS on his own job shop precision machining company.

About Productivity Press
Productivity Press is the premier source of authoritative information on organizational improvement, offering the broadest selection of books and learning tools about lean methodologies, based on the Toyota Production System. Whether you are responsible for production, office and administrative operations or providing services, our publications offer you proven, practical strategies for increasing efficiency and capacity while eliminating waste. We are the leading source of materials for educating and training your workforce in lean. In February, 2007, Productivity Press launched its new healthcare division, Healthcare Performance Press (HCPpress.com).

List price is $50.00. Complimentary review copies are available to media contacts by calling (212) 216-7865 or by e-mailing: leon.carter@taylorandfrancis.com.

For more information on Made-to-Order Lean, or any of Productivity Press' other titles, call 1 (888) 319-5852, or access our online catalog at ProductivityPress.com.

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ADVANCE PRAISE FOR

Made-to-Order Lean - - Excelling in a High-Mix, Low-Volume Environment

By Greg Lane

"Made-to-Order Lean provides clear and practical insights into how to increase the competitiveness of a manufacturing facility. It will teach you how to increase the productivity of your operations through proper visual aides, improve quality and satisfy today's demanding customers."

Lee C. Banks
Senior Vice President and Operating Officer
Parker Hannifin Corporation

"Greg Lane is an experienced, Toyota-trained, lean practitioner. Greg was instrumental in helping Delphi in the late 1990s win our first Shingo Prize for Manufacturing Excellence. This book is an excellent resource for applying lean principles to the complex topic of high-mix, low-volume manufacturing. It is core reading material for those implementing a lean manufacturing system in this environment."

Paul A. Brent
General Director - Global Supplier Quality and Development
Delphi Corporation