Using total cycle time for quick response manufacturing

Abstract

Thomas Group Inc., with offices in Irving, Texas, Detroit, Michigan, Singapore and Frankfurt, Germany, has more than 20 years’ experience of vastly improving client business efficiency through cycle time reduction. This article explains the advantages of moving from a “blame culture” to an interconnected seamless, holistic business approach to widespread and continuous improvement. The concepts of baseline and entitlement performances are explained as well as tools such as time‐based management and treating companion processes. Specific examples are cited for concepts and actual results from Detroit Diesel Corporation are revealed. Finally the actions‐in‐process management system illustrates paths toward reduced cycle time.

Citation

Grubb, L. (1998), "Using total cycle time for quick response manufacturing", Assembly Automation, Vol. 18 No. 1, pp. 20-24. https://doi.org/10.1108/01445159810201234