Lean Manufacturing is Mainstream. Substantial research and literature exists indicating that American industries are actively implementing Lean Manufacturing as a key strategy for remaining competitive in today’s manufacturing environment, and implementation of this manufacturing paradigm shift is taking place across numerous industrial and source sectors. Similarly, the Boeing Company began implementing Lean Manufacturing throughout the Commercial Airplanes Division in February 1996: upon realizing early successes in the endeavor, “leaning” efforts at Boeing have been expanded to the entire company. Boeing’s substantial investment in Lean reflects its belief that the strategy plays a critical role in the company’s.
