Implementering av Lean i medelstora företag

Sammanfattning: This project/essay is about the Lean production, and aims is to conduct a study on how a middle-sized company can implement the Lean philosophy in their organization. The study is performed in collaboration with Mälardalen University, in order to answer the question raised of why middle-sized companies implement Lean Production philosophy and what results they expect. To answer the question, a study has been done involving seven middle- sized companies. Interviews are done with both chairman’s and the ceo. of all seven companies, to compare the difference of Lean philosophy used in all1those companies. The purpose of those interviews is to see how these companies work with Lean and how they inform and educate their employees. The seven companies are found with the help of Production Boost and they were all middle-sized companies that had worked for Lean in different periods.Interviews gave knowledge about the reasons that made those seven companies implement Lean Production philosophy. Lean were implemented because they wanted to achieve more of teamwork in their organizations and to create more commitment among employees. They had realized that they could not remain with the traditional production method of working, where employees are not supposed to be involved in the planning and management of the work. Whereas Lean Production philosophy suggests that it is important for all employees to participate and be aware of the company's vision and goals.  The interviews with the seven companies follow the same pattern in terms of implementation and this has worked quite well. Lean is a knowledge-based philosophy whose aim is to maintain high quality, meet customer requirements and making product development more efficient. In the beginning, it is important to keep a basic training for all1employees who have to understand how Lean philosophy works. Then the company can begin1gradually to change in its production system in a sharp way, so that everyone can see that things are changing in their favor. This project consists of a qualitative study that has involved seven companies, which undergo a change in production toward implementing Lean. The interviews have been conducted to provide an explanation of why these companies choose to make this change by implementing Lean and what Lean means for these companies. The results have been collected with the theoretical framework in order to create a deeper understanding of Lean, its tools, the benefits and the difficulties that may occur. The analysis shows that the reason for the implementation of Lean, was to enhance teamwork and create engagement between employees. It also shows the opportunities and difficulties that can arise for companies that want to implement Lean. It is important to know that even if Lean has proved to be successful, it's not a tool that you can use in your company and expect immediate success. Lean principles are a new thinking way that is important to be understood and used properly in the company, both in the when it is implemented and also how to work with suppliers and consumers.