Chromas Offers Lean Manufacturing to North America

Published: January 06, 2003, By Teresa Koltzenburg, Senior Editor

ST-BRUNO, QC, CANADA—Canadian-based flexographic press manufacturer Chromas reports its new web site—chromaslean.com—promotes a manufacturing philosophy that's been garnering more and more attention these days: "Lean Manufacturing," according to Chromas, "is an English term that describes the Japanese manufacturing philosophy of continually reducing waste throughout a workflow to increase productivity and profitability." Chromaslean.com includes a copious amount of Lean Manufacturing data, including information about Chromas-sponsored "Lean Seminars"; a "Test Lean IQ" module; a history of the Lean Manufacturing concept; links to "Lean-oriented" enterprises and groups; and text-based resource info.

Among the global trade organizations touting the benefits of Lean Manufacturing is the European Flexographic Technical Association (EFTA). EFTA is promoting the philsophy with a series of courses "targeted at cost reduction through manufacturing improvements," says the group. "We have produced an introductory seminar to explain the concepts and the techniques companies can use to reduce costs and move toward 'Lean,'" states EFTA. The association adds, following the intro seminar, it's offering two workshops "focusing on two specific implementation tools. These will explain the principles in more detail and…[show] how to make it happen in your company." For more information about the Lean courses, contact EFTA at +44 (0) 1458 241455, or email Lesley Hide at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Visit EFTA at efta.co.uk.

Texts that may be valuable for further investigation into the Lean Manufacturing concept include Lean Thinking: Banish Waste and Create Wealth in Your Corporation by James P. Womack and Daniel T. Jones; Becoming Lean: Inside Stories of U.S. Manufacturers by Jeffrey Liker; and The Evolution of a Manufacturing System at Toyota by Takahiro Fujimoto. Other resources, as well as hotlinks to publishers' purchase sites, are available at chromaslean.com. Learn more about Chromas flexographic printing press technology at chromas.com.