The meaning of lean: cross case perceptions of packaging businesses in the UK's fast moving consumer goods sector

Abstract

This study focuses on the supply of high-quality printed packaging to the fast-moving, consumer-goods industry (FMCG) of two UK companies that manufacture consumer-packaged goods for retail customers. The research tests existing models of lean supply and applies them to FMCG. The findings of the research confirm that lean supply chain management consists of two elements that are each characterized by distinguishing concepts and features. The conclusions and implications of this study are that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach is inappropriate to supply chain design. A contingency approach, that considers all the variables associated with the product and the organizational characteristics is necessary to design an effective and sustainable lean supply chain.

Keywords:

• Lean supply
• JIT purchasing
• Packaging
• High performance relationships
• FMCG

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge and thank all the companies involved in the study, particularly Fusion and Phobos, and all the interviewees from across the supply chain, for their assistance and support. The authors also wish to thank the anonymous referees for their valuable feedback and constructive comments.