What is Lean Distribution?

Lean distribution is the application of the Toyota Production System principles to the design and improvement of warehousing, logistics and distribution operations. 

Applying Lean principles to take wasted time and steps out of transactional, receiving, stocking, picking, packing, and shipping processes results in improved safety, quality, delivery and cost. 

Lean distribution improves safety, quality, on-time delivery and cost through kaizen and the implementation of Lean disciplines:
  • Visual management of hourly and daily work status
  • 5S and workplace organization within the office and warehouse
  • Customer-paced work balance (takt and cycle time)
  • Standard Work documentation for routine work
  • Synchronizing material movement by pull systems
  • Building in quality at each process through error-proofing
  • Autonomous maintenance & TPM of automation to prevent lost time
  • Small group and team-based improvement activity
Our deep understanding of the Toyota Production System allows us to rapidly assess the current condition of distribution operations and design a program of education and implementation of Lean principles.