Separating the best from the rest

The following is a selection of what automotive consultant Ron Harbour considers some key operational features of leading-edge automotive manufacturers.

Why differentiate features of models when customers don’t care (example: 64 types of dipsticks)?

Using “a clean sheet of paper” approach to implement a design or process is the worst idea for a manufacturing operation. Evolutionary is better than revolutionary.

A passion for design for manufacturability: design things to make them simple to put together.

All offspring look like parents — i.e. plants are designed to look and appear the same, which makes it easier implement changes and improvements across all plants without having to start at the bottom of the learning curve.

Central office launch team can fit in one car.

Outsourcing isn’t productivity improvement. If you are the best make it yourself.