Collinson Grant

Lean and six sigma

What we do

Quick boosts in performance can be gained by applying 'lean' thinking. Principles first developed in manufacturing can be used in many different sectors. This approach is particularly successful when a business unit is working well below its best. The concepts are straightforward. We help managers to understand them:

Know what the customer really wants - find out what is important to each group of customers and describe it in measurable terms (costs, delivery time, quality etc)
Construct the value chain - use mapping to describe the flow of materials and information
Create joined-up processes - analyse the obstacles to continuous flow and eliminate unnecessary obstacles
Synchronise supply with demand - match the output and speed of the production process with the needs of the customers. Maintain short cycle times, reliable resources, flexible scheduling and visible controls
Eliminate waste - use a systematic review of all stages of the process to pinpoint and remove those activities that do not help to create value for a customer.

How we do it

Getting the real benefits from 'lean' thinking depends on moving decision-making as close to the customer as possible and giving all employees the opportunity to contribute. Usually our work centres on small teams with specific, short-term improvement objectives. We provide formal and informal training, stepping back from the frontline as employees’ skills and confidence increase.

Our experience

In Sweden, Collinson Grant introduced a 'lean' training programme in a leading manufacturer of cash handling equipment. We helped managers to find cost savings of 5% per year, and to cut inventory and increase inventory turns to 10. We also applied lean manufacturing techniques in our work with managers in a building materials business in America. Training local managers in new analytical approaches helped to improve production and service to customers.