how do lean manufacturing techniques in the example below eliminate various types of waste and inefficiency.

Based on the principles of lean manufacturing pioneered by Toyota, Autoliv developed their own lean manufacturing environment called the Autoliv Production System (APS) with a focus on continuous improvement. Autoliv uses lean systems to establish stable processes that maximize the value added by the companys operations by removing waste and delays wherever possible.

Correspondingly, this has allowed Autoliv to keep costs down, giving them an edge in the highly competitive automotive parts market. Autoliv also recognized that employee involvement in all processes was critical to their success and continue to foster a culture of involvement, as inspired by the study of Japanese manufacturing - this requires employees at all levels to be responsible for quality. In this way, all employees are empowered to identify issues, ask questions, and even stop work to troubleshoot if needed (Krajewski, et al., 2016, p 234-235).

Another great example of lean manufacturing at work is Caterpillar, the leading manufacturer of a variety of heavy industrial products, including construction and mining equipment, engines, turbines and locomotives. Caterpillars primary goal is profitable growth, and the company strives to achieve this mission by fostering a culture of operational excellence.

In addition to applying lean principles to its manufacturing processes, Caterpillar has worked to expand that application across its business. All Caterpillar suppliers are required to comply with a robust set of guidelines, including 100% on time shipments, electronic document control, ongoing quality monitoring, and process control. Caterpillar also maintains a strong focus on tracking metrics and data analytics to improve customer demand forecasting, thereby minimizing excess inventory and maximizing supply chain efficiency (Caterpillar, 2021).