The Outcomes of Lean Implementation in High-Mix/Low-Volume Industry – Literature Review

Abstract

Many companies in the world have used lean to achieve significant improvements in both efficiency and effectiveness. However, most evidence of lean implementation stem from manufacturing environment similar to one lean was developed in, i.e. product-focused and to-stock Low-Mix/High-Volume (LMHV) manufacturing. High-Mix/Low-Volume (HMLV) industry, on the other hand, is usually process-focused, with to-order manufacturing, and as such it comes with specific set of goals and priorities, and possibly different set of lean implementation outcomes. This paper aims at investigating the outcomes of lean implementation with a specific focus on High-Mix/Low-Volume. For this purpose, a systematic literature review procedure was conducted, in order to analyze implementation reports from state-of-the-art literature. The results show that HMLV companies mostly report efficiency related, easily quantifiable outcomes, stressing the positive side of lean. What literature lacks to report are intermediary outcomes (e.g. better understanding of processes, teamwork and collaboration, problem solving abilities), as well as results regarding customer satisfaction. In addition, reports also lack the issue of outcomes sustainability, as most papers show evidence from short-term case studies.