Supply Chain Digest Online, via iSixSigma’s News, carries some news on lean manufacturing mitigating impact of recession on job loss.
Here are the reasons cited:
- some factories have become so Lean, there simply aren’t many positions that can be eliminated and keep the operations going, even at reduced volume
- the investment in Lean training and techniques in the workforce can make the long-term cost of layoffs very high for some companies
- companies have invested in Lean training for employees that the skills acquired are difficult to let go
This makes a lot of sense. If you’re organization is already streamlined and no wastes (in terms of redundant positions) can be found, then there’s no reason for any layoffs. So in a way, you are already saving a lot even before a crisis hits.
