Other Lean Tools in Fashion and Textile Manufacturing

This chapter discusses how waste reduction, process efficiency and safety in textile manufacturing can be managed using lean manufacturing tools: namely Muda, six Sigma and statistical process control, in addition to ergonomics. Muda approach identifies seven waste groups in post-implementation manufacturing process. The chapter highlights four Muda techniques to perform the waste identification including building lean thinking and cultures, hybrid approach of combining multiple decision-making methods, integrating lean and green management, and value stream mapping to prioritize responses to wastes. Statistical process control focuses on process deviation in manufacturing and provide a real-time analysis to enhance the future production predictability. Six Sigma is a process-based strategy consisting of five stages (DMAIC-Define, measure, analyze, improve, and control) used as a data-driven process to eradicate defects in manufacturing process. Finally, ergonomics which focuses on interactions among humans and other elements of a system to optimize human well-being and overall system performance, is recommended to combine with lean manufacturing to improve quality and well-being of workers in textile industry