Flexware Innovation

I recently read an article in the Jan/Feb issue of the APICS magazine about our future manufacturing workforce.  The article basically says we will be OK and have enough future manufacturing professionals because of the training people are getting in the fast-food industry.  I couldn’t agree more.  I have long believed that places like Wendy’s and McDonalds are basically small manufacturing facilities.  The next time you order at a place like this, watch the one piece flow, the customized orders, and the takt time being tracked on the displays.  There is a lot we can learn from these fast-paced, small lot-sized operations.  Just some food for thought.