Let's Fix It!

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No company is built to last, asserts manufacturing expert Richard J. Schonberger. After sixteen years of prosperity, nearly 75 percent of the world's admired manufacturing firms have declined since their peaks in 1995. In this critique of current practices, Schonberger presents a four-part plan to address the manufacturing crisis. Analyzing data from 500 top global manufacturers, he reveals that leading companies like General Motors and Toyota have halted improvements in lean production, despite record profits masking underlying waste and weaknesses. This stagnation stems from a lack of will to renew amid global hypercompetition, exacerbated by industry leaders focusing on short-term gains rather than foundational excellence. Contributing factors include inexperienced managers, outdated equipment and systems, and retention of unprofitable customers. To combat these issues, Schonberger advocates for identifying blind spots, consolidating initiatives into a cohesive program, implementing strict control over lean practices, and standardizing processes for global production efficiency. Timely and essential, this work will resonate with Schonberger's readers and manufacturing managers committed to continuous improvement.