Written by the industrial engineer who developed SMED (single-minute exchange of die) for Toyota, this title presents an overview of this powerful just in time production tool. It offers the instructions available anywhere for transforming a manufacturing environment in ways that can speed up production and make small lot inventories feasible.

Written by the industrial engineer who developed SMED (single-minute exchange of die) for Toyota, A Revolution in Manufacturing provides a full overview of this powerful "just in time" production tool. It offers the most complete and detailed instructions available anywhere for transforming a manufacturing environment in ways that will speed up production and make small lot inventories feasible. The author delves into both the theory and practice of the SMED system, explaining fundamentals as well as techniques for applying SMED. The critically acclaimed text is supported with hundreds of illustrations and photographs, as well as twelve chapter-length case studies.

"One of the most thought provoking manufacturing books anyone can read. It is filled with excellent improvement solutions that have wide potential application." -Ken Stork, Past President, AME Target, June 2004 "Dr. Shingo's visit to our plant was significant in making breakthroughs in productivity which we previously thought were impossible. The benefits that we are receiving are more far-reaching than I had personally anticipated. Because of Dr. Shingo's direction, we have been able to reduce changeover time from 4 to 5 hours to an average of 2.5 to 4 minutes." - Gifford M. Brown, Plant Manager, Cleveland Engine Plants, Ford Motor Company, June 2004