Optimizing production	What company thinking about optimizing production has not considered the lean system invented by Toyota? How many have worked to implement these principles, and initially congratulated themselves on the spectacular results achieved at first? But how many were disappointed shortly afterwards, when performance dropped back to its previous levels? The authors of Journey to Lean and The Toyota Way offer their analysis on this topic as well as valuable tips on successfully realizing such a change program.
John Drew, Blair McCallum, Stefan Roggenhoffer, Palgrave MacMillan, 2004. The Toyota Way, Jeffrey K. Liker, McGraw-Hill, 2004.
Lean Thinking	This book describes the basics of Òlean management,Ó which is intended to optimize the performance of each link in the supply chain. The authors conclude that companies can save end users time and money and gain a competitive edge if they implement the following three-phase approach: define the supply chain specific to each product; streamline supply chain functioning to eliminate production bottlenecks and material shortages; organize the supply chain to produce just in time based on customer demand.
James Womack and Daniel Jones, Simon & Schuster, 1996.
Lean Thinking	This book describes the principles of lean production based on the conclusions of a worldwide MIT study of automotive production systems. The authors demonstrate the inherent power residing in this Japanese-originated mode of organization, and describe how it differs from mass production.
James P. Womack, Daniel T. Jones and Daniel Roos, Simon & Schuster, 1994.