BVMW.CONNECT [industrie] – The networking event for small and medium-sized businesses
On September 26th 2017 the BVMW Frankfurt Rhein-Main invited to one of the numerous BVMW.CONNECT events. Participants exchanged experiences from different companies and sectors, exploited synergies and gained interesting insights into various fields and subjects.
Subject of this event: Lean Management
With two presentations on the subjects “Lean Management” in general and “Industry 4.0” Thomas Schneider, partner and co-founder of SYNCRO EXPERTS, shared his long-term experiences as a LEAN consultant.
Conclusion: The majority of SMEs is not ready for industry 4.0.
Reason: An effective implementation of industry 4.0 requires optimal, lean processes and a high degree of standardization. Otherwise waste will be digitized as well and suboptimal processes are implemented into the new system.
Bottom line: A company needs to be “LEAN” before it starts implementing industry 4.0.
Thomas Schneider recommends the following sequence for implementing industry 4.0:
- Holistic implementation of Lean (especially in respect to optimal, low-waste processes, technically and qualitywise stable processes and a high degree of standardization).
- Implementation of industry 4.0 and enhancement of the system
- Utilization of synergies between LEAN and industry 4.0