Fall 2008 issue of Horizons

INDUSTRY ◆

MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION

Green and Lean –

Enhancing Your Lean Manufacturing Efforts by Going Green! Agency says “lean usually helps the environment without really intending to.” Green is in! Growing media attention and increased consumer awareness of green initiatives is a reality for today’s manufacturers and distributors. Add to that the increased regulatory scrutiny and green does not appear to be a passing fad. On the surface, green and “lean” may appear to be an unlikely combination. Lean enterprises focus on eliminating waste to increase cash flow and capacity to grow their businesses. This enterprise strategy gives the company a competitive edge. Lean enterprises accomplish this by eliminating waste and non-value added activities while delivering what the customer wants, when they want it. By Mike Lewis, CPA Mitch Kidwell of the U.S. Environmental Protection

37 ◆ fall 2008 issue