Lean Techniques in the Food Industry
Imagine a food company being able to do more with less- less time, less inventory, less space, less people, and less money. Lean manufacturing is a process management philosophy, which helps companies to do just that. While many people associate lean with car manufacturing and Toyota in particular, the lean principles have been extended throughout the world for all kinds of production.
Why shouldn't the principles behind Lean work in the food processing industry? There are many similarities between producing food products and other products. Both have raw materials at the start of the value stream. These raw materials are processed through a series of steps to transform them into a finished product for distribution. The actual time spent adding value is small relative to the time the raw material spends in one form or another (raw, WIP or finished goods) prior to being purchased by the end customer. The Lean principles can be applied to eliminate waste and improve your product's flow through the value stream.
Implementing lean techniques in a food company can help to address the increasing challenges faced by food processors such as:
- Rising energy prices
- Waste disposal costs
- International competition
In 2008 for the first time, Teagasc-Ashtown Food Research Centre will offer food companies the chance to receive training in lean techniques. Interested food companies can attend a 2-day workshop- Lean Techniques in the Food Industry during which they will be exposed to a series of proven tools in the areas of Lean and Continuous Improvement. This workshop, which is presented in conjunction with HOSCA, takes place on February 6th and 7th, 2008 in Dublin. HOSCA tutors have many years of experience in training and consultancy in lean manufacturing across all sectors of industry including the food sector.
For further information or to reserve a place, please contact:
Áine Sommerfield
Food Training & Technical Services Department,
Ashtown Food Research Centre, Teagasc, Ashtown, Dublin 15
Tel: 01 8059536
