--- title: Lean Manufacturing Tools for the Consumer Goods Industry description: Check out this list of lean manufacturing tools used in the consumer goods/products industry. image: https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/hubfs/BLOG%20Images/Kanban-new.jpg --- Tel: 860-571-3602  |  [info@hartfordtechnologies.com](mailto:info@hartfordtechnologies.com) - [Contact Us](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/contact-us/) - [Blog](https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/blog) - [Resources](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/resources/) - [Application Profiles](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/application-profiles/) - [Hartford Global Consulting Services](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/hartford-global-consulting-services/) - [Case Studies](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/case-studies/) - [Ebooks](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/resources/ebooks/) - [Glossary](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/resources/glossary/) - [Videos](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/resources/videos/) - [About Us](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/about-us/) - [Our History](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/about-us/our-history/) - [Global Team](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/global-team/) - [Manufacturing Capabilities](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/bearing-manufacturing-capabilities/) - [Our Quality](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/bearing-manufacturing-capabilities/quality-lab/) - [Who We Work With](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/who-we-work-with/) [![](https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/hubfs/main-logo.png)](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/) - [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2564859/5b2ac506-c97b-41cb-bd79-24d149b8b2bd.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2564859/5b2ac506-c97b-41cb-bd79-24d149b8b2bd) - [Bearing Assemblies](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/custom-bearing-assemblies/) - [Special Bearings](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/custom-bearing-assemblies-manufacturer/special-bearings/) - [Cage Bearings](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/custom-bearing-assemblies-manufacturer/cage-bearings/) - [Needle Bearings](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/custom-bearing-assemblies-manufacturer/needle-bearings/) - [Drawn Cup Needle Bearings](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/custom-bearing-assemblies-manufacturer/drawn-cup-needle-bearings/) - [Cage Needle Bearings](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/custom-bearing-assemblies-manufacturer/cage-needle-bearings/) - [Thrust Bearings](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/custom-bearing-assemblies-manufacturer/thrust-bearings/) - [Plastic Bearings](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/custom-bearing-assemblies-manufacturer/plastic-bearings/) - [Ball & Roller Retainer Assemblies](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/custom-bearing-assemblies-manufacturer/ball-roller-retainer-assemblies/) - [Ball Sleeves](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/custom-bearing-assemblies-manufacturer/ball-sleeves/) - [FAQ – Custom Bearing Assemblies](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/custom-bearing-assemblies/faq-custom-bearing-assemblies/) - [Precision Balls](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/precision-balls/) - [Chrome Steel Balls](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/precision-balls/chrome-steel-balls/) - [Stainless Steel Balls](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/precision-balls/stainless-steel-balls/) - [Carbon Steel Balls](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/precision-balls/carbon-steel-balls/) - [Brass Balls](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/precision-balls-manufacturer/brass-balls/) - [Tungsten Carbide Balls](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/precision-balls-manufacturer/tungsten-carbide-balls/) - [Precision Glass Balls](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/precision-balls/precision-glass-balls/) - [Plastic Balls](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/precision-balls/industrial-plastic-balls/) - [Small Ball Pack Program](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/precision-balls/small-ball-pack-program/) - [Balls for Valves](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/precision-balls/balls-for-valves/) - [FAQ – Precision Balls](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/precision-balls/faq-precision-metal-balls/) - [Bearing Components](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/custom-bearing-components/roller-ball-bearings/) - [Roller Ball Bearings](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/bearing-parts/roller-ball-bearings/) - [Bearing Cages/Separators](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/custom-bearing-components/bearing-cages/) - [Bearing Races](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/bearing-parts/bearing-races/) - [Bearing Sleeves / Wear Sleeves](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/bearing-parts/bearing-sleeve-wear-sleeve/) - [Needle Bearing Retainers](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/bearing-parts/needle-bearing-retainers/) - [Tripot / Tripod Ball – CV Joint](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/bearing-parts/tripot-cv-joint-trunnion/) - [FAQ – Bearing Parts](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/bearing-parts/faq-bearing-parts/) - [Precision Pins](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/custom-precision-pins/) - [Pins & Shafts](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/custom-precision-pins/pins-and-shafts/) - [Pivot Pins](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/custom-precision-pins/pivot-pins/) - [Dowel Pins](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/custom-precision-pins/dowel-pins/) - [Knurled Pins](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/custom-precision-pins/knurled-pins/) - [FAQ – Precision Pins](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/custom-precision-pins/faq-precision-pins/) - [Rollers](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/custom-precision-rollers/) - [Needle Rollers](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/custom-precision-rollers/needle-rollers/) - [Precision Rollers](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/custom-precision-rollers/precision-rollers/) - [Special End Rollers](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/custom-precision-rollers/special-end-rollers-steam/) - [Tapered Rollers](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/custom-precision-rollers/tapered-rollers/) - [FAQ – Precision Rollers](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/custom-precision-rollers/faq-precision-rollers/) - [CNC Capability](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/cnc-swiss-machine-capability/) - [Industries](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/industries-applications/) - [Agriculture](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/industries-applications/agriculture/) - [Automotive](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/industries-applications/automotive/) - [Consumer Goods](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/industries-applications/consumer-goods/) - [Electronics](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/industries-applications/electronics/) - [Industrial](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/industries-applications/industrial/) - [Medical](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/industries-applications/medical/) - [Military](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/industries-applications/military/) - [Recreational](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/industries-applications/recreational/) Tel: 860-571-3602  |  info@hartfordtechnologies.com ![](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/wp-content/themes/hartfordtech/template/header/header-logo-mobile.png) - [Home](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/) - [About Us](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/about-us/) - [Industries & Applications](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/industries-applications/) - [Bearing Parts](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/bearing-parts/) - [Custom Bearing Assemblies](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/custom-bearing-assemblies/) - [Precision Balls](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/precision-balls/) - [Precision Pins & Rollers](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/precision-pins-rollers/) - [Capabilities](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/capabilities/) - [Resources](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/resources/) - [Contact Us](https://hartfordtechnologies.com/contact-us/) # Hartford Technologies Blog # Lean Manufacturing Tools for the Consumer Goods Industry Posted: Dec 8, 2017 11:34:19 AM For businesses in the consumer goods industry, the principles of lean manufacturing offer a number of incredible advantages. To see which tools and practices your business might be able to make use of, check out this list of [lean manufacturing tools used in the consumer goods/products industry.](http://www.hartfordtechnologies.com/industries-applications/consumer-goods/) One-Piece Flow ![One-Piece-Flow.jpg](https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BLOG%20Images/One-Piece-Flow.jpg?width=809&height=477&name=One-Piece-Flow.jpg) One-Piece Flow dictates that products be produced from start to finish one unit at a time. For example, instead of completing one step for a hundred products before moving on to the next step in the manufacturing process, companies would finish all of the steps for one unit before moving on to the next one. [Learn More About One-Piece Flow](https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/blog/the-ultimate-list-of-lean-manufacturing-tools) ## Kanban ![Kanban-new.jpg](https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BLOG%20Images/Kanban-new.jpg?width=809&height=477&name=Kanban-new.jpg) Kanban allows companies to reduce waste by signaling when a part is running low so that parts are only purchased when they are needed. Instead of buying parts automatically, making use of Kanban enables companies to waste less time and money by only buying the parts they need. [Learn More About One-Piece Flow](https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/blog/the-ultimate-list-of-lean-manufacturing-tools) ## SMED ![SMED-Diagram-ew.jpg](https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BLOG%20Images/SMED-Diagram-ew.jpg?width=809&height=384&name=SMED-Diagram-ew.jpg) SMED stands for Single-Minute Exchange or Die, and the goal of this tool is to streamline changeovers and startups by getting each step down to a minute or less. Companies in the consumer goods industry can use SMED to reduce downtime and improve efficiency. [Learn More About SMED](https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/blog/the-ultimate-list-of-lean-manufacturing-tools) ## Bottleneck Analysis ![Bottleneck-Analysis-Diagram.jpg](https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BLOG%20Images/Bottleneck-Analysis-Diagram.jpg?width=809&height=477&name=Bottleneck-Analysis-Diagram.jpg) The goal of bottleneck analysis is to identify areas of the manufacturing process that are slowing down the whole operation and speed them up. For companies looking to speed up the time it takes them to manufacture a unit or a batch of units, bottleneck analysis can offer a lot of value. [Learn More About Bottleneck Analysis](https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/blog/the-ultimate-list-of-lean-manufacturing-tools) ## Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) ![Overall-Equipment-Effectiveness.jpg](https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BLOG%20Images/Overall-Equipment-Effectiveness.jpg?width=809&height=477&name=Overall-Equipment-Effectiveness.jpg) OEE is a measurement of productivity that allows companies in the consumer goods industry to measure how productive they are when it comes to quality, performance, and availability. [Learn More About OEE](https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/blog/the-ultimate-list-of-lean-manufacturing-tools) ## Root Cause Analysis ![Root-Cause-Analysis-new.jpg](https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/hubfs/BLOG%20Images/Root-Cause-Analysis-new.jpg) Root Cause Analysis is a method of problem-solving which dictates that it's best to get to the root cause of a problem rather than treating its symptoms. For companies who are experiencing an issue in their manufacturing process, Root Cause Analysis may be the best way to get to the bottom of it. [Learn More About Root Cause Analysis](https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/blog/the-ultimate-list-of-lean-manufacturing-tools) ## SMART Goals ![SMART-Goals-new.jpg](https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BLOG%20Images/SMART-Goals-new.jpg?width=809&height=477&name=SMART-Goals-new.jpg) In order for a company in the consumer goods industry to properly implement lean manufacturing, they must first set the right goals. SMART Goals is a tool that companies can use to set goals that are both attainable and productive. [Learn More About SMART Goals](https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/blog/the-ultimate-list-of-lean-manufacturing-tools) ## Total Quality Management ![Total-Quality-Management-new.jpg](https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BLOG%20Images/Total-Quality-Management-new.jpg?width=809&height=477&name=Total-Quality-Management-new.jpg) Total Quality Management is designed to improve the quality of a product by improving every step of the process used to manufacture it. Quality is an important concern for companies in the consumer goods industry, and Total Quality Management can help them attain it. [Learn More About Total Quality Management](https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/blog/the-ultimate-list-of-lean-manufacturing-tools) ## Continuous Improvement ![Continuous-Improvement-new-1.jpg](https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BLOG%20Images/Continuous-Improvement-new-1.jpg?width=809&height=477&name=Continuous-Improvement-new-1.jpg) Continuous Improvement allows companies to steadily improve efficiency by setting higher standards over time. It's an effective process that companies in the consumer goods industry can use to reduce costs and save time. [Learn More About Continuous Improvement](https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/blog/the-ultimate-list-of-lean-manufacturing-tools) ## Total Productive Maintenance ![Total-Productive-Maintenance-new.jpg](https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BLOG%20Images/Total-Productive-Maintenance-new.jpg?width=809&height=477&name=Total-Productive-Maintenance-new.jpg) The goal of Total Productive Maintenance is to prevent machine downtime and thus improve efficiency. By making use of Total Productive Maintenance, companies can ensure that their machines are always functioning to their full capacity. [Learn More About Total Productive Maintenance](https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/blog/the-ultimate-list-of-lean-manufacturing-tools) ## Conclusion By making use of the right lean manufacturing tools, companies in the consumer goods industry can drastically improve their efficiency, allowing them to cut costs and improve their margins on the products they sell. When combined with the right parts and components, these tools are incredibly effective. If you would like to learn more about the quality parts and components offered by Hartford Technologies that you can implement in tandem with these lean manufacturing tools, we invite you to [contact us today.](http://www.hartfordtechnologies.com/contact-us/)   Topics: [Lean Manufacturing](https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/blog/topic/lean-manufacturing) [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2564859/96cf33e1-75d1-4fd7-a7d3-8ce3ffd6b3b1.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2564859/96cf33e1-75d1-4fd7-a7d3-8ce3ffd6b3b1) ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Posts by Topic [View All Posts](https://hartfordtechnologies-2564859.hs-sites.com/blog) - [Precision Ball (31)](https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/blog/topic/precision-ball) - [Engineering Trends (26)](https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/blog/topic/engineering-trends) - [Medical Manufacturing (24)](https://resources.hartfordtechnologies.com/blog/topic/medical-manufacturing) - 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