Lean Application to Manufacturing Ramp-Up: A Conceptual Approach

Abstract

This article provides a theoretical overview of the concepts of lean and manufacturing ramp-up in an attempt to conceptualize the strategic areas in which lean philosophy and principles can be applied for continuous improvements. The application of lean principles during the final stage of a new product development process, that is, the ramp-up process, is a critical, early enabler of lean manufacturing.

The manufacturing strategy literature conceptualizes a state of “leanness in operations,” which can consolidate both the concepts of lean and manufacturing ramp-up, providing a dual perspective. Abstracting from the extant literature, the authors considered the competitiveness of manufacturing companies from two principal perspectives: the leanness of the ramp-up process and the new-value creation of quality managers. While much of the literature fails to acknowledge that the roots of lean actually lie in quality evolution and TQM, there is relatively sparse evidence on the subject of applying the lean philosophy to manufacturing ramp-up, so this study is an attempt to address this gap. This is achieved by providing a comprehensive outline of the two concepts and illustrating the areas in which mutual benefits can be drawn, as well as providing a conceptual framework for future studies in lean application to the manufacturing ramp-up process.

• conceptual framework
• lean
• manufacturing ramp-up

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Irene Christensen

Irene Christensen is a doctoral fellow at the Department of Operations Management at Copenhagen Business School. Her interdisciplinary research interests include operations strategy and management, innovation management, ramp-up, and productivity management, and she works closely together with Coloplast a/s. Prior to rejoining academia, she spent many years as an executive in logistics companies and governments located in EMEA and GCC regions with roles in research and new business development. She can be reached by email at [email protected].

Anna Rymaszewska

Anna Rymaszewska is a doctoral candidate and a part-time lecturer at the Department of Production at the University of Vaasa, Finland. Her research interests comprise lean manufacturing and management, as well as supply chain management. She is currently combining research activities with processes development and quality management tasks at the metal industry company. She can be reached by email at [email protected].