How Can Bulk Supplies Impact Lean Six Sigma?
As a manufacturer or producer, you are always looking for ways to improve your processes and to solve problems. The pros at Medco Supplies know that the principles of Lean Six Sigma are a facility manager’s best friend when it comes to cutting costs and reducing waste.
The easiest way to cut costs is to order common supplies—such as disposable gloves, aprons and coveralls—in bulk. When you order supplies in bulk from Medco Supplies, you can reduce your laboratory or plant’s waste in three distinct ways.
Lean Six Sigma Waste Principle # 3 - Waiting
Wasting time is one of the worst kinds of waste. If your employees are waiting to get the gear they need to start their work, waiting on someone to search for more supplies, or waiting to sort through old supplies to find enough to go around, then they are wasting time.
Not only are the workers wasting time, but equipment stands idle while the employees work on obtaining the right supplies. These two kinds of “waiting waste” can be eliminated by having bulk supplies on hand at all times.
Lean Six Sigma Waste Principle #5 - Transportation
Transporting small batches of common supplies is a waste outlined in the Lean Six Sigma principles. Shipping in bulk can save transportation fees in the long run. Also, loading and unloading and putting supplies away is more efficient in larger amounts and done less frequently. Finally, damage is reduced when products are shipped in bulk containers.
Lean Six Sigma Waste Principle #7 - Motion
According to this principle, excessive motion increases the chance of injury and wastes time. If employees are crossing the plant searching for missing supplies or constantly trying to resupply their areas, they are wasting motion, energy and time.
Having consumable materials in bulk helps to eliminate this waste. For example, keeping a supply of disposable gloves in small, medium, large and extra large gives all of your employees what they need, right when they need it.
Get a bulk supply
Ready to improve your supply room and reduce waste? Contact us today for a special quote to ship a pallet of consumable supplies to your processing or manufacturing facility.
