The Impact of Lean Production on the Cycle Time: A Case Study of a Welding Assembly Line in Kerala

The growing global competition is forcing the organisations to reduce the cost for increasing the profit. Lean manufacturing is a powerful tool for attaining this. The history of lean manufacturing starts from the craft production of 1900's. It is evolved through the contributions of F.W. Taylor, Henry Ford, Eiji Toyoda & Taiichi Ohno. The main concept of the lean manufacturing is the reduction in cost by eliminating waste. However, not all lean implementations have produced such results. In this study, a critical examination of lean manufacturing implementation experience at the welding department of a medium size industry located in Kerala, India. . Cycle time reduction is an important way by eliminating or reducing non-value-added activities. To reduce the overall cycle time of manufacturing, the cycle time of each sub-assembly needs to be reduced. Reducing cycle time will have a significant impact on a company's bottom line when implemented. The outcome of this study leads to substantial reduction in cycle time, reduced defects, better utilization of human resource and machines, and reduced cost of maintenance. It has been proved and validated by an empirical relation. The cause and effect diagram is used for analysing the cycle time reduction. The Quality control chart is also used. The improved return on investment (ROI) and reduction in cycle time shows the feasibility. The data for this study were obtained through interviews, Questionnaire survey and archival sources.