Implementation of Lean Manufacturing Strategy in Label Printing Industry Using Value Stream Mapping

Value-stream mapping is a lean manufacturing tool for analyzing steps performed in an organization or department, of the current state and then designing an ideal form which can be useful for lean strategies within an organization. Value Stream Mapping begins right from the start where the order of product or service is received till it is delivered to the customer through all the manufacturing process steps; these all actions are mapped down physically in a chart. Its main objective is to identify and eliminate all non-value-added activities (waste). Mapping down all the steps followed in production and doing time and motion study helps us know the exact state and find out the places where we are going wrong and improve them by either reducing the wastage or eliminating it. In this paper, we have completed a case study of a label printing industry and recorded information for the same and identified non-value-added activities like waiting time, wastage of labels, etc. and suggested ways to overcome it. By implementing the ideas suggested, it decreased the lead time of the industry, reduced wastage of labels, thereby increasing company efficiency.