Kevin Mathis, Managing Director of Lean Horizons Consulting, talks about how he created the first Mixed Model Production cell in Danaher. In this episode, Kevin discusses how to implement a mixed model cell as well as how it all relates to the fundamentals of the Toyota Production System, specifically, JIT, Standard Work, Heijunka, Kaizen and Jidoka.

In this episode of the Lean 911 podcast, Mark DeLuzio is joined by Kevin Mathis, a Managing Director at Lean Horizons. Kevin shares insights from his extensive experience, including pioneering mixed model production at Danaher's Hennessey plant. The discussion covers the background of mixed model production, its challenges and benefits, the critical role of engaging employees in the lean transformation process, and the impact on safety, quality, delivery, and cost. The conversation also touches on the importance of product design in lean manufacturing and how mixed model production aligns manufacturing processes more closely with customer demand. Key lean concepts such as kaizen, standard work, and respect for people are emphasized as fundamental to successful implementation.

So many leaders have a gross misunderstanding as to how to get true, sustainable results using Lean principles and methodologies. When times get tough, many revert to headcount reductions, and many times, these reductions are in their Lean organization. Learn how to focus on the right things and avoid the well-deserved, however unfortunate, moniker that L.E.A.N. = Less Employees Are Needed.