Difference between JIT, Lean and TPS

There are several types of guiding principles and philosophies in manufacturing. Sometimes, it can be hard to keep them straight. If you’ve heard terms such as “lean,” “Just in Time,” or even “Toyota Production System” applied to manufacturing processes, but you’re not sure what makes one different from the other, the experts are C Tek are here to fill you in.

Just in Time (JIT)

The Just in Time process focuses exclusively on efficiency. JIT can be used as a standalone philosophy, but it can also be combined with lean manufacturing. JIT has its roots in the auto industry, but it is still applicable to many areas of production and manufacturing. JIT ultimately strives to have the right volume of inventory available at the right time for consumers, which eliminates both surpluses and shortages.

Lean Manufacturing

Lean manufacturing includes efficiency, but it is a comprehensive system that can be used in many different areas of a business, including marketing, production, sales, and distribution. The lean philosophy ultimately aims to keep the end consumer in mind by creating valuable products that satisfy customers’ end needs and demands. The goal of lean is to reduce waste and add value across all different business departments, which in turn maximizes efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Toyota Production System (TPS)

The Toyota Production System was started by world-renowned automaker Toyota. The Toyota Production System is a system that is also designed to minimize waste to increase efficiency, customer satisfaction, and profits for the company. TPS is based on two basic concepts, which are “jidoka,” or the concept of human touch in the automation process, and “Just-in-Time.” Jidoka refers to the fact that when equipment encounters a problem, the machinery is stopped so that defective products do not leave the assembly line. TPS is a system designed to maximize efficiency, but it is also an important guiding principle for quality control and product accountability.

These three types of manufacturing philosophies can improve productivity, product quality, customer satisfaction, and revenue for a company. To find out more about these three principles, contact the knowledgeable associates at C Tek for further details.