Episode Details

Andrew shares insights with Jay from a recent lean-focused shop tour with Paul Akers. The conversation goes to the hidden dangers of batch processing vs. one-piece flow, why takt time can matter more than cycle time, how to identify and eliminate waste at the micro-task level, and why “don’t solve problems until they exist” is often the best strategy They also explore practical challenges like line balancing, inspection differences (CMM vs. vision systems), and the surprising complexity of measuring quality in manufacturing. 

Plus, a candid discussion on whether shop tours actually scale, charging for tours vs. giving them away, and turning knowledge into a valuable product instead of a free commodity.