In the manufacturing world, we often hear the terms “light industry” and “heavy industry”. But what makes an industry “light” or “heavy”? In this article, we will focus solely on the light industry. We will start with the light industry’s definition, characteristics, and examples of sectors that fall under the light industry category. Afterward, you can also check our guide to the heavy industry. What Is Light Industry? The light industry is a sector that produces consumer goods intended for personal consumption rather than B2B. These goods generally require fewer ingredients, materials, an ..read more

In our previous articles, we have introduced what is IATF 16949 certification and how to get an IATF 16949 certification. Organizing an IATF 16949 certification for your plant is a long and rigorous process. It’s not a one-person task and requires the collaboration of your entire team. Hence, it is crucial to prepare your team properly for this certification. Your team’s understanding of the IATF 16949 standards and how they work greatly affects your chances of success. We will start with the basics of this certification. Then, we’ll show you how to assess your team’s IATF 16949 knowledge ..read more

For automotive manufacturers worldwide, being IATF 16949-certified is crucial. It’s the industry’s primary benchmark for quality management. IATF 16949 supplements the more generic ISO 9001 certification family – adding many important automotive industry-specific metrics. By January 2024, there were already 93,908 IATF 16949-certified production sites globally – and counting. Thus, this certification scheme is highly sought-after by automotive manufacturers across the globe. However, IATF 16949 sets a high standard for manufacturers. The certification process is rigorous. It assesses many a ..read more

For automotive manufacturers, the IATF 16949 certification is a must-have. Besides the more generic ISO certifications series, the IATF 16949 certification is among the most respected quality certifications in the global automotive industry. Yet, what does the certification consist of? What does it take to be certified? And why does this certification matter for automotive manufacturers?  In this article, we will guide you through the basics of the IATF 16949 certification, how it compares to the ISO 9001 standards, and what the IATF 16949 certification process looks like. You’ll also ..read more

In this era of rigorous competition, manufacturers have to improve themselves continuously. Taiichi Ōhno, the pioneer of the modern-day lean manufacturing concept, once said: “without standards, there can be no improvement.” Standardization is indeed the cornerstone of any improvement in the manufacturing sector. Therefore, every production activity must be standardized. The output of this standardization is known as standard work. Yet, how does it actually work? And why is it necessary? In this article, we will cover the basics of standard work and how to implement it. We will also explain ..read more

Interactive Work Instructions (IWIs) represent a transformative approach in the manufacturing industry. They allow leveraging the power of digital technology to guide workers through complex processes with precision and efficiency. Before we start, here’s an important remark: not all Digital Work Instructions are truly interactive. Why? Because not all of them empower operators to become connected frontline workers. Let’s dive into the characteristics of IWIs, how they are transforming the industry, some of the best practices that we can learn from, and tools that we can use. What Are Intera ..read more

If you’re working in the manufacturing sector, you’ve probably heard the term “lean manufacturing” countless times. Many manufacturing practitioners have praised its dramatic impact on production efficiency and continuously advise manufacturers to follow this method. Yet, what is lean manufacturing, and why is it important? Which improvements can it deliver to your shop floor? And how do you apply lean manufacturing to a real-life setting? In this ultimate guide, we will introduce the basics of lean manufacturing, how to implement it, the benefits you can reap from it, and the tools you’ll ne ..read more

In the world of manufacturing, there are 8 forms of waste that must be anticipated. These wastes drain your organization’s coffers and your employees’ valuable time. And even worse – many managers and shop floor workers aren’t even aware of these 8 wastes’ very existence. Among industrial practitioners worldwide, they’re collectively known as the “8 wastes of lean manufacturing.” Yet, what are these 8 forms of waste? How do you detect them? And how can you reduce or even eliminate these 8 wastes? In this article, we will cover each of the 8 wastes in lean manufacturing in detail, including se ..read more

The “Just-in-Time” Production System is a popular jargon among lean manufacturing practitioners. It can deliver razor-sharp cost-cutting benefits that no other system could match. Yet, it’s also an incredibly challenging system to follow – and highly risky”.  You might ask, what does it mean to be “just-in-time” in manufacturing? How do you implement this system? And how can the just-in-time production system improve your plant’s production process efficiency? In this article, we explore the core ideas of the just-in-time production system, its techniques, its advantages & disadvant ..read more

Implementing lean manufacturing is often considered “a must” for any manufacturer today. Countless industrial practitioners worldwide have preached the monumental improvements that lean manufacturing has brought to their or their clients’ production facilities. Yet, is the lean manufacturing doctrine really as useful as many have claimed? Is it possible to measure its impact? What metrics are used to calculate the transition into lean manufacturing’s Return on Investment (ROI)? And how do we measure lean manufacturing’s actual impacts on a plant’s productivity?  Estimating the ROI of le ..read more