QMM 260S

TITLE: The implementation and application of Lean Manufacturing by Brickor (Pty) Ltd.

Contents page:

1.Introduction: you need to introduce the topic to the reader. This should not be more that 3 paragraphs of at least two to three sentences each.

Lean manufacturing ensures that a business produces products which uses less of everything, compared to traditional mass production: less waste, human effort, manufacturing space, investment in tools, inventory, and engineering time to develop a new product but also contribute to sustainability, and improved profitability.

This aspect will be addressed in detail this assignment and will include a definition of Lean manufacturing, what Lean manufacturing entails, and the advantages and disadvantages of Lean manufacturing. For this purpose, credible sources will be consulted, such as books and journal articles. In addition, our group will visit Brickor (Pty) Ltd to ascertain to what extent they are practising Lean manufacturing and the implications of following such a practice.

The other aspects that will be covered are summary, suggestions and conclusions and a list of references (bibliography/reference list).

2.The literature review: You need to consult at least 5-8 journal articles and at least 4 books on this topic. It should be clear to the reader what this concept is all about. This section should be at least 2-3 pages. No popular web pages or articles should be used. You may use PDF documents of which the complete bibliography details are available.

2.1 What is Lean manufacturing?

2.2 What does Lean manufacturing entails?

2.3 What are the advantages and disadvantages of Lean manufacturing

3.Practical application: after completing your literature review, you should have a very good understanding of what the concept is about. Now you need to find a business and talk to the owner or manager to determine how the concept is applied in that business. This section, including a short profile of the business (owner (s) details, type of business, products/service offering, pricing, etc) should not be longer than 2-3 pages.

As mentioned in section 2, Lean manufacturing includes ...................................... In this section, we will now espouse how and the extent to which Brickor (Pty) Ltd is applying it in their business. But before this is discussed, we will provide a short profile of the business.

Brickor (Pty) Ltd, is a manufacturer of bricks from clay, other than competitors that use chemical products in the production of bricks. This business was started in 1912 in Stellenbosch, by Allan Goldfied and John Block. Both owners have passed on and the business is now in the hands of the second generation of two families, namely Goldfield and Block. They are currently producing bricks at Stellenbosch, Brackenfell, Fisantekraal and Malmesbury. They use natural clay to make bricks, which caused damage to the environment, because it leaves big holes where the clay is mined, which needs to be filled afterwards. For this purpose, the use building rubble. Not all forms of building rubble are biodegradable and therefore should this land be use later for building purposes, the owners could experience serious gardening problems.

According to Mr. Holmes, manager of Brickor Stellenbosch, using clay, is already the start of Lean manufacturing. In our business, Lean manufacturing starts from the office through to the delivery of the bricks to our customers, who are either builders, hardware stores or owner builders. We source our stationery and printing requirements from suppliers that sell recycled paper, sometimes, it is more expensive, but through this process, we contribute to saving valuable trees. Our production methods, .........................

4.Main findings: what did you discover - is there a connection between the literature and the business that you selected, are the following the basic principles contained in the concept. Should not exceed 1 page.

5.Suggestions and conclusions: what can the business do to improve the implementation of progress with regards to the concept discussed. Should not exceed 1 page.

6.Bibliography/Reference list: Use the Harvard method of referencing. You should ensure that the in-text referencing is correct.