We welcome Sneha Kumari one of our contributors on Offsite Dirt and the "Leanify Construction Series" to our conversation on the future of factory setup and offsite construction.
Sneha's background started 10 years ago as she been dedicated to implementing lean principles and keeping up with advancements in lean methodologies. She is a Six Sigma certified professional with extensive experience in end-to-end supply chain implementations and process improvements for manufacturing industries. This eventually led her to prefabrication manufacturing and modular construction industries.
Sneha Kumari and Audree Grubesic at 2024 Advancing Prefab Conference, Denver CO
The essence of her work has always been about fostering a culture of continuous improvement within every factory she works with. This cultural shift is crucial for any business aiming to unlock productivity. Additionally, Sneha is a strong advocate for the circular economy, volunteering with the Circular Supply Chain Network, and blogging about the power of supply chains to support a sustainable economy.
Among her recognitions, she has been named one of the top 40 women to follow in ERP by SourceDay and was also recognized by McKinsey as one of the top 40 women in operations.
When she talks about a future factory setup, she envision a process that employs guiding principles to orchestrate a sequence of improvement actions, aiming to deliver an ideal factory state. This vision revolves around optimizing space, equipment, and processes to support a long-term strategic goal.
A key aspect of this vision includes value stream consolidation and linkage, enabling one-piece flow—where modules move efficiently from station to station until completion. Space and flow optimization are critical, as is visual management, which ensures that everything employees need is easily accessible. This reduces time wasted on non-value-added activities.
Additionally, co-locating support functions near specific assembly areas minimizes lead and cycle times. The goal is to create a seamless, efficient operation that significantly enhances productivity.
The Art of Visual Management
"Visual management is fundamental to lean practices. It involves organizing tools and workspaces so that everything is visible and accessible. This minimizes wasted time and enhances efficiency. Implementing 5S (Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain) is crucial for maintaining organized and efficient work stations," says Sneha.
Proper visual management sets the stage for establishing one-piece flow, where workstations are optimized for success. This approach is vital for any factory, regardless of size, from small 10,000 square feet facilities to massive 250,000 square feet operations. The principles remain the same: it’s about creating a harmonious flow of materials and information.
When a factory is optimized for lean principles, the scope for growth becomes more evident. This growth should ideally come with minimized costs, leading to increased profit margins. Business owners must focus not only on revenue growth but also on maintaining profitability by controlling costs.
By mapping the value stream of a business from procurement to delivery, we can identify and eliminate waste, thus unlocking productivity and reducing costs. This approach ensures that as a business grows, it remains profitable. Expert guidance is essential in this journey to leanify operations, manage change, and instill a culture of continuous improvement.
Connect with Sneha for your latest project or resource. The experience she provides will give your company a pathway for great success and productivity. This information assists with greater profitability and is a win-win for manufacturers of all types.
#leanmanufacturing #factorysetup #manufacturing #offsitedirt #allthedirt #modularconstructionexpert #leanmanufacturingexpert
Follow Us:
@instagram https://www.instagram.com/offsitedirt
@facebook https://www.facebook.com/OffsiteDirt
@offsitedirt https://www.offsitedirt.com
Comments