| However, associating Lean with just the big boys | | | | desired level of efficiency has been achieved using |
| is certainly not the right thing to do - because the | | | | Lean Six Sigma. |
| reality is that Lean is quite versatile and can be | | | | Maintaining Quality: The Primary Client |
| implemented by any business organization, | | | | Requirement |
| irrespective of its size. | | | | Clients of packaging firms expect and demand the |
| For proof, you just need to have a look at some | | | | best possible quality in the least possible costs and |
| of the relatively smaller businesses such as a | | | | this is why most packaging firms have |
| packaging firm that might have implemented Lean | | | | implemented Lean inside their organization. Lean |
| Six Sigma. | | | | helps because it is designed for the very same |
| For better understanding, we'll focus specifically on | | | | purpose (i.e. reducing costs without affecting the |
| this particular industry and find out exactly how it | | | | quality of the final outcome). |
| is benefiting from Lean Six Sigma. | | | | This becomes a possibility because Lean stresses |
| Packaging Materials: A Major Contributor to Overall | | | | conducting detailed analysis of all the components |
| Costs | | | | or say raw materials that might contribute |
| In the packaging industry, packaging materials are | | | | towards the making of the final product. The |
| like raw materials - and as such, contribute | | | | analysis is done to find which components affect |
| significantly to the overall packaging costs. | | | | the quality the most and others that only play a |
| However, that should not be a cause for concern | | | | minor role. This helps because it allows packaging |
| because if a packaging firm were able to make | | | | firms to allocate the available funds mostly to the |
| even a small percentage change, it would result in | | | | major quality determinants and spend relatively |
| a significant reduction in overall costs. | | | | less on peripheral components and inputs that |
| Additionally, since the packaging company will only | | | | may not be contributing much to the overall |
| be required to concentrate on a single cost | | | | quality of the final outcome. |
| component, the probability of achieving the | | | | This eventually results in significant cost savings, |
| desired results will increase dramatically. These are | | | | especially when a packaging firm takes adequate |
| the very reasons why the packaging industry is | | | | care to ensure that the Lean analysis is done in |
| nowadays becoming increasingly dependent on | | | | the prescribed manner. Inability to do so can |
| Lean Six Sigma. Lean helps because it streamlines | | | | adversely affect quality and undermine the very |
| the existing packaging processes, allowing | | | | significance of Lean principles. |
| businesses to make the best possible use of | | | | Lean is a complex system obviously because it |
| existing manpower. | | | | aims to achieve that perfect balance of quality |
| As processes become more and more | | | | and low-cost operations. To get the best results |
| streamlined over time, businesses will no longer be | | | | and to avoid Lean disasters, it is recommended |
| required to hire additional manpower, something | | | | that only the experienced Black Belts be given the |
| that automatically results in huge cost savings. | | | | responsibility of implementing Lean projects, |
| Depending on existing market demand, businesses | | | | especially in the highly competitive packaging |
| can also launch retrenchment schemes once the | | | | industry. |