Lean management

E-Con Solutions

The capability of a company to respond to customer demand changes is a key factor in all industries. Continuous flow, flexibility, cost efficiency and a problem-solving organization based on employee involvement: these are the features to succeed, but the road is not as simple as the tools and methods themselves.

"more and more from less and less"

Lean simulation at Corvinus University

Based on the success of the simulation held at the HALPIM conference we have received a request from Corvinus University Budapest to hold the same simulation for their 3rd year students (within the course Organization of production and service processes). Compared to the other simulation it was an interesting difference that the students did not believe that the simulation was based on the existing processes of a real company because of the "complicating factors" in the first round. They thought that it could only be the result of the consultant's creativity...

You can find the article about the HALPIM simulation here.

Appearance at the 19th Annual HALPIM Congress: section sponsor, presentation, simulation

We continued the practice started last year that we invite our customer to the HALPIM congress, so attendees may enjoy a joint presentation from two perspectives. This year's topic was the applicability and hands-on experience of lean implementation at a distribution center. Gábor Ősz lean consultant of E-con Solutions Kft. and András Jerkó Head of HU Postponement and Distribution Centre at Coloplast Hungary demonstrated the lean development at the logistics centre which handles 2.5 million products per week with destinations all around the world.

More details here…

Lean Manager Round Table

Every occasion is special when we have the opportunity to confirm the applicability of lean thinking in a non production environment. This was no different at the last meeting of LMRT where this time our host was Raiffeisen Bank. After a short introduction – in which we could get to know the bank and the history of lean implementation efforts – we could instantly experience through visiting a daily meeting what Visual management means in an administrative environment, how it can look like and how easy everyday communication is within the group.

In his presentation Zsolt Csepregi introduced what is a possible interpretation of lean in the financial sector, what are the differences compared to a production environment and what are those common points you can build your development in administrative processes.

The rest of the day, a particular case study was presented of the process developments of Raiffeisen Bank, and other members of LMRT had the opportunity as well to present one case study where they used lean thinking successfully in the office – primarily to reduce lead time in any administrative processes. The next meeting will be in Tiszaújváros at Jabil Circuit.

Simulation about incoming material handling

Lean section of HALPIM with E-Con guidance held a logistics simulation and interactive workshop. Attendees of the program interpreted lean principles through a simulation which covered the incoming material handling process of a logistics service company. After the first round of the simulation the team considered the event through a case study as well, to be able to view the development possibilities, achievable results and obstacles at a real lean improvement - beyond the boundaries of a simulation!

Photos are available in our gallery!

Presentation to the students of University of Óbuda

OE_szakkollegium We have received a request from Richárd Szabó director of the Galamb József Integrated Project Dorm at the University of Óbuda (Technical College of Budapest) to hold a presentation for his students about lean basics. Through the presentation the students were able to get to know the history of lean, the basic principles and the main reasons of wastes in our processes - with the help of a simulation. Through the analysis of case studies they realised the potential reserves in processes. The program was closed by a round-table discussion in good atmosphere, raising more and more questions.

Lean Manager Round Table

Lego Last time we had the opportunity to get to know the lean process developments done at Lego in their plant in Nyíregyháza, the role and function of Lego Production System (LPS) in the factory presented by Jens Peter Clausen, CEO. During and after the brief but very interesting factory tour details of the Short Interval Management (SIM) system was introduced which is used at all levels of the company: how did this method change the information flow drastically, what were the difficulties of introduction until they could achieve the currently - almost automatically - working system.

During the day Dávid Losonci from Corvinus University reported about the students' professional practice spent at some of the LMRT members, what were their main experiences and presented the summary made of their dissertations.

The host of the next meeting is special amongst the members as they are representing not the manufacturing but the bank sector. We will be able to review how experts at Raiffeisen Bank apply lean principles in the service area, what are the results we can expect during developing administrative processes. The main topic – which affedts many of us in person – will be lead time.

Session sponsor and presenter of the 18th. Congress of HALPIM (MLBKT) / Lean at an unusual environment

"Lean application in the processes of a factory restaurant running with over 100 employees" was the title of the presentation about process development experiences in the Eurest restaurant operating in the Nokia factory, Komárom, Hungary. The presenters were Szabolcs Molnár, senior lean consultant and Lénárd Lajos, Eurest regional manager. The participants met with the challenges, organizational experiences and attributes of the process (running 360 days a year, "producing" 3.000 portions in each shift) from consultant and customer point of view. Click here to see the pictures of the presentation.

Gravity Transport: funny logistics exercise at HALPIM event

Our organizational development team organized a funny logistics exercise for the participants of the HALPIM Congress. The game was a good opportunity to get to know each other better and to solve some of the logistics fundamental problems in a playfully: after the official schedule as a light evening program. The main purpose was to solve a logistical problem with (at first glance...) inappropriate tools.

And the result? Check out our photo gallery!

Book review

The ultimate sourcebook for process improvement and increasing efficiency - Lean Thinking - which was sold in English in more than 400.000 copies worldwide is finally available in Hungarian - published by E-Con Group and HVG Press. Lean Thinking presents how to gain the ability of continuous development, how to change our processes to the real demands of our customers and how to establish a quality-oriented, flexible organization which focuses on value adding through the whole supply chain.

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Lean Manager Round Table

Experienced, leading lean experts started a professional organization in October 2009. The first, exclusive meeting was held with the leadership of the worldwide recognized expert, prof. Daniel T. Jones.

The forum is intended to give an opportunity to leading lean representatives of Hungarian companies for professional discussion, to conduct guided and theme-specific company visits and to attend on conferences in Hungary or abroad.

Education – Lean Management at Corvinus University of Budapest

At Corvinus University of Budapest, within the faculty of Management and Leadership a new course has been started teaching the basics of lean management. Lean consultants of our company are involved in 'Organization of production and service processes' course, which aims to complete the theoretical education with practical examples, and - during a special project day - to help to learn the practical steps of lean implementation, support.

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Lean education

Learning the basics necessary for practical application, familiarization of lean principles and main tools.

Trainings and workshops which are intended to get acquainted with lean tools and methods, to transfer the knowledge ncecessary for successful implementation. Practical approach is very important: sharing the experience of lean introduction with the help of examples, case studies and simulations.

Practical application of lean tools and methods.

Practice-oriented workshop 1-2 days long or Kaizen event 3-5 days long. Value Stream Mapping and Analysis (VSM, VSA), Kanban, SMED, Cell building, 6S, Standard Work, Lean Line Design, Pull system implementation, etc.