Indicate whether each of the following is characteristic of a lean production system or a traditional production system.
a. Management works with suppliers to ensure defect-free raw materials.
b. Products are produced in large batches.
c. Large stocks of finished goods protect against lost sales if customer demand is higher than expected.
d. Suppliers make frequent deliveries of small quantities of raw materials.
e. Set-up times are long.
f. Employees do a variety of jobs, including maintenance and set-ups as well as operation of machines.
g. Machines are grouped into self-contained production cells or production lines.
h. Machines are grouped according to function. For example, all cutting machines are located in one area.
i. Suppliers can access the company’s intranet.
j. The final operation in the production sequence “pulls” parts from the preceding operation.
k. Each employee is responsible for inspecting his or her own work.
l. There is an emphasis on building in quality.
m. The manufacturing cycle times are longer.