Product Description
An encyclopaedic guide to production techniques and materials for product and industrial designers, engineers, and architects.Today's product designers are presented with a myriad of choices when creating their work and preparing it for manufacture. They have to be knowledgeable about a vast repertoire of processes, ranging from what used to be known as traditional "crafts" to the latest technology, to enable their designs to be manufactured effectively and efficiently. Information on the internet about such processes is often unreliable, and search engines do not usefully organize material for designers.

This fundamental new resource explores innovative production techniques and materials that are having an impact on the design industry worldwide. Organized into four easily referenced parts—Forming, Cutting, Joining, and Finishing—over seventy manufacturing processes are explained in depth with full technical descriptions; analyses of the typical applications, design opportunities, and considerations each process offers; and information on cost, speed, and environmental impact. The accompanying step-by-step case studies look at a product or component being manufactured at a leading international supplier.

A directory of more than fifty materials includes a detailed technical profile, images of typical applications and finishes, and an overview of each material's design characteristics. With some 1,200 color photographs and technical illustrations, specially commissioned for this book, this is the definitive reference for product designers, 3D designers, engineers, and architects who need a convenient, highly accessible, and practical reference. 1,200 color photographs and illustrations ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Really good visual dictionary of processes
I strongly recommend this book.
This is probably the best such book I have come across.
It covers a load of the basic stuff you probably already know, plus a lot of more obscure things.
A little light on high-volume processes but it is really good as a primer for low-volume manufactureres, students, super-serious hobbiests, etc.
Don't count on it being a specific how-to kind of book, but a very good reference on what is involved in executing a specific process.
There is still a place for a book like this to go into more depth on the 'how to' but until that one is written, I really like this one.
Much more better than "Process" which is a good coffee-table kind of book.
This on is more useful for the professional.

Great book
I got this book to solve a problem I had trying to find how to make a part for furniture. Not only did I find it but I found something better and other ideas for future projects. Great for artist and designers.it goes through Metal, wood, plastic and even silkscreening,laser cutting etc. But the hard part is finding a company that has this equipment.

must have
This book is must have for all the Industrial Designers.
Especially for thous who just starting their way in the professional design world.
Very narrative, very clear and the case studies are brilliant!

Great Book!
This is the best book for manufacturing tech. details and the uses of different materials.Highly recommended!This has step-by-step pictures for the manufacturing processes. Very clear and easy to understand.

Absolutely essential
Just to echo what the other reviewers are saying here:it's hard to imagine a design shop without this book on the shelf. And at the price, it's within the budget of most product design and engineering students as well. I first encountered this book two years ago, and actually thought the price was a misprint. Just as the Amazon review says, this is really an encyclopedia of manufacturing processes, lavishly illustrated, lots of examples, and at a great price. What's not to like? ... Read more

Product Description

A Practical, Hands-on Guide to Lean Manufacturing

This real-world resource offers proven solutions for implementing lean manufacturing in an enterprise environment, covering the engineering and production aspects as well as the business culture concerns. Filled with detailed examples, the book focuses on the rapid application of lean principles so that large, early financial gains can be made.

How to Implement Lean Manufacturing explains Toyota Production System (TPS) practices and specifies the distinct order in which lean techniques should be applied to achieve maximum gains. Global case studies illustrate successes and pitfalls of lean manufacturing initiatives. Discover how to:

• Rigorously test and retest the state of your "leanness" with unique evaluators
• Develop and deploy plant-wide strategies and goals
• Improve speed and quality and dramatically reduce costs
• Reduce variation in the manufacturing system in order to reduce inventory
• Reduce lead times to enable improved responsiveness and flexibility
• Synchronize production and supply to the customer
• Create flow and establish pull-demand systems
• Perform system-wide and specific value-stream evaluations
• Generate a comprehensive list of highly focused Kaizen activities
• Sustain process gains
• Manage constraints and reduce bottlenecks
• Implement cellular manufacturing

Customer Reviews (11)

Clear guide to lean manufacturing
Lonnie Wilson brings decades of experience to this practical guide. He shows you how to put lean manufacturing to work in the real world without the usual windbag textbook theories and with plentiful examples. getAbstract finds that he provides solid information about what you need to do (and don't need to do) to maximize lean's benefits for your company. Wilson is clear and strikingly passionate. His manual is not difficult to understand, but it is somewhat technical. He directs his lessons - and his informed opinions - toward those who already know a good bit about manufacturing processes. He explains how Toyota uses lean within its Toyota Production System, but he also discusses how you can put lean into practice. Wilson describes how important corporate culture is to implementing lean manufacturing and notes which aspects of your organization must align with its approach. The book is full of checklists, assessments and charts to help you get to its core principles easily and grasp them quickly without ever getting lost in a fog of philosophy.

An Excellent Read!
I found this book to be highly educational and interesting.It is different from most Lean books that I have seen because it is more hands on and practical.

Lonnie not only explains the principles of implementing Lean, he actually shows you how they work using real life examples.He used illustrations that explain all of the potential roadblocks to becoming lean.He also explains how he dealt with those roadblocks.

I would recommend this book to anyone that is interested in learning how to implement Lean manufacturing.

How To Implement Lean Manufacturing
How to Implement Lean Manufacturing by Lonnie Wilson is a masterpiece on continuous improvment. Lonnie covers this subject by hitting all significant areas of lean and ties it to real life situations where he has made a tremendous impact as a consultant.The book is very well written and organized. Each chapter leaves you with a thirst for the next chapter. I consider this book to be the "number one" book I have read on lean. I am a lean consultant and University of Minnesota Lean Manufacturing instructor who holds seven lean/six sigma certifications and has practiced manufacturing & design engineering for over 25 years. This book definitely earns an "A+".
Jim McCarthy - Lean Master & Master Black Belt

AGreat Lean Book That Not Only Tells You What But How
Lonnie Wilson has done a surpurb job of taking the very broad subject of Lean Manufacturing and in twenty chapters provided not only the what but the how too of Lean Manufacturing along with pitfalls to avoid. I really enjoyed the three chapters of case studies that bring home the points of the book. This book is not only a great read for the newly initiated practitioners of Lean but also for those already involved in the daily implementations.If your wondering if your company is ready to move down the Lean path, Lonnie's Five Tests of Management Commitment to Lean Manufacturing, The Ten Most Common Reasons Lean Initiatives Fail, and The Five Precursors to Implementing a Lean Initiative will certainly provide insight as to what needs to be done before you head down the path. Lonnie this is a great read and I hope it is not your last.

Thom Longcore
Sr. Productivity Manager
Woodbridge Foam Corp.

A practical approach to implementing lean manufacturing
Lonnie Wilson teaches you how to implement the best aspects of lean manufacturing without having to implement the cultural aspects of the Toyota Production System.He believes that cultural transformation, while a benefit if you can pull it off, keeps you from realizing he benefits of Lean quickly, is risky, and adds cost to your Lean project.

Chapter 1 explains his views along these lines and Chapter 2 is a look at Toyota's System and why you need a manufacturing system that focuses on behavior more than culture. Chapter 3 shows you why variation gets in the way of your manufacturing goals and how inventory masks and is the result of variation.You want to eliminate inventory and you have to eliminate variation in order to eliminate the need for inventory.Chapter 5 shows you why Lead Time exists and how you can reduce it.

Chapter 6 discuses the basics of Cultural Change and how need to start thinking about Lean and your manufacturing culture.Chapter 7 looks at strategic approaches you can take to becoming a Lean Manufacturing environment and shows you what Takt is and how to use it.You also get a look at what a basic time study is and how to conduct a balancing study.Spaghetti Diagrams and Value Stream Mapping are also discussed.

Chapter 8 takes you through a Lean implementation process while chapter 9 looks at how to do Lean planning and how to set appropriate and achievable goals.Chapter 10 shows you how to maintain the gains you worked so hard to make and chapter 11 looks at the effect of your culture on Lean and how to think about what you can do with your own.

Chapters 12 and 13 deal with managing your constraints and the benefits you can realize by using cellular manufacturing.Chapter 14 is a case study on cultural change and chapter 15 is a case study on early gains realized by reducing lead times.Chapter 16 is three small case studies as good examples of what to do.Chapter 17 looks at what happens when Lean is used poorly.The last three chapters show you how to conduct your own experiments on variation and inventory, a bunch of assessment tools you can use, and a summary of how your company can become a house of Lean.

This is, I believe, a useful and practical book.Heaven knows, we need to become even more competitive to hold onto as many manufacturing jobs as we can.Maybe someday we can once again grow our manufacturing base.But if we ever do, it will be because we have become globally competitive not because of some series of spending initiatives out of Washington D.C..

Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Ann Arbor, MI


... Read more

Product Description
A practical, no nonsense guide to assist those who would like to begin their own sewn products business, explaining many of the pitfalls that they can now avoid. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (49)

Exceptional Resource
This book has been very helpful for me.I had no experience or understanding of this industry, I just had an idea.This book has helped me in conversations with manufacturers that I fell are immeasurable.

Great for beginners
This is an excellent resource book for beginners who are interested in manufacturing apparel for the first time. It provides you with all the basics that you need to be aware of before approaching a manufacturer. Highly recommended. The seller shipped the book super fast as well.

This book is a MUST....I would have flopped without it!
I cannot properly express my gratitude to the author for writing this book. Honestly, if it wasn't for the valuable information in this book I would have:

1) made a complete fool of myself in front of a lot of people in the industry
2) not followed the necessary steps to be successful
3) spent thousands more than I needed to

The author's no-nonsense approach is refreshing and appreciated; there is no "fluff" in this book. Every page is chocked full of valuable information, and it is well worth its weight in gold. It amazes me how close I came to blowing everything by following a path that would have ensured my product's failure...thank GOD I bought this book. It truly is the "bible" of sewn-product manufacturing, and in my opinion, EVERYONE in the fashion industry needs to read it.

Not purchased yet
Sorry for the fake review.

However, I've read this author's website in great detail.
She's a smart cookie. She has a lot of knowledge in the "industry" that home-sewers or small business people may be looking to learn.

But like other people have mentioned, she's VERY negative and arrogant. I can see just in her website that she thinks she is "right" and the rest of the professionals are "wrong."

Either you love this woman, or hate her.
Her site is full of comments and threads of people giving praise, or being very turned off by her attitude.
In fact at one point when somebody praised her tutorial, she told them that if they appreciated it, they'd donate money to keep the site up, giving a sob story about how her credit card is about to be charged $500 for the site.
I can only imagine that the book is very much the same as her website.

In the end I'm sure I'll get the book and just take it in small doses for it's actual educational content, while avoiding letting her attitude and narrative get to me.
I'd absolutely hate to intern for her. Thank goodness she wrote a book. I'd rather just pay her the $60 and not have her in my face. And she can take my $60 to keep her site up where I'll get additional information.

Must read with caveats
I agree this is a must-read for anyone starting out in the garment-manufacturing industry.There is plenty of useful information in here, and it's an easy, entertaining, and fairly quick read.Even someone already in the industry will find something useful in here, I suspect.The title "...Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing" is apt.

I read this book because I just bought a struggling garment manufacturer who was selling about $1M per year, but was losing money.I have to come up to speed quickly on this business!I discovered the reason the company was losing money, and it was an obvious (to me) problem in the manufacturing process that I'm sure would affect anyone who owns their own factory.It is a make-or-break issue, but it is not even mentioned in the book, which I found curious.So it is far from a complete treatment.

Also beware the subtitle "everything you need to know about running a garment industry business"...it is not that.The author no doubt is a sharp woman, but her experience is as a pattern-maker, not a manufacturer or design-entrepreneur.She covers parts of the manufacturing process (particularly in pattern-making)in great detail, but treats very lightly, or wrongly, how you are going to sell your products.Her "information" on sales reps is critically wrong, and will send the new entrepreneur totally down the wrong path.The best she could do in talking about reseller relationships was an interview with a feed-store dealer down the road from her.

If you want to get into this business, or are even already in this business, buy this book.But test what you think you've learned.

... Read more

Product Description
Doing business in China is tougher than you think. Not only is the culture vastly different, but China's experience in manufacturing is still developing.It will be a few years before the majority of manufacturers are up to world standards.In the meantime, quality, contract laws, schedules and logistics must be closely monitored.As a result, the things Westerners must do to be successful are far different from dealing with American or European manufacturers. The best way to quickly come up to speed on these differences and how to handle them is to learn from the experience of others.

Through over 20 extraordinary executive interviews, Rosemary Coates captured the essence of sourcing and manufacturing in China. '42 Rules for Sourcing and Manufacturing in China' is a pragmatic approach that every businessperson headed to China must read.

For business people who are experienced in doing business in China, or for first-time visitors, this book will provide valuable insights from real executives and experts. These executives offer their personal experiences and recommendations about sourcing and manufacturing in China. Going beyond simple cultural do's and don'ts, you will discover:

• how business is really done
• how you can make things happen in China
• the mistake westerners often make, and how to avoid them
• what made these executives successful

Based on her 25 years of supply chain experience, much of it spent living and working across Asia, Rosemary Coates has become an expert on doing business in China.Her own personal experiences in China are interwoven into this book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

About general business, but not about sourcing!
To be fair, there are some good points spread along the chapters.
But I would not recommend it for the following reasons:
-1- It is not a "practical handbook" about sourcing. The book lists the main incoterms without specifying which ones are the most common, open account is presented as comparable to L/C and T/T, etc. Has the author ever sourced anything from China? I doubt it!
-2- Poor examples. Some very large suppliers (Foxconn, Flextronics, Li&Fung...) are presented, but isn't this book aimed at smaller buyers who will have to live with another reality?
-3- Lots of typos ("Han Hai" instead of "Hon Hai", Guangzhou instead of Guangdong....) , and some repetition from one "rule" to another.
-4- Some pieces of advice are given by self-serving consulting companies. Most pieces of advice are solid, but many are worthless (or even dangerous -- e.g. hiring an auditor to stay full-time in a factory, instead of using rotating inspectors).
It is a pity, because the author seems to understand Chinese culture. But not manufacturing...

Don't Go to China Without Reading This Book!
The moment I started reading this book I could not put it down.The insight provided by the author, Rosemary Coates, into doing business in China is invaluable.The depthof knowledge shared regarding the "true state" of sourcing and manufacturing in China rings true.If you are headed to China or plan to do business in the future this book will thoroughly prepare you.

Great insight
This book provides great insight if you are considering doing business in China.Rosemary Coates offers different specifics about China culture and practices that help you think through situations that may occur while doing business in China.This book will help prepare you for unseen events that may not have been built into your business plan.

An old China hand applauds 42 rules for Sourcing and Mfg in China
As an old China hand I wish I had this knowledge historically, culturally and the business process realities when I started going to China over 25 years ago.I remember Shenzhen at a few hundred thousand not fifteen.Rosemary has cut to the essence of doing business in China and I recommend this book for all senior procurement, engineering and logistics management to make it mandatory reading for their junior staffs.The lessons here are Chinese, but the logic of the approach will apply to all countries.Make sure you know the territory before you enter the game. Bravo.

Must Read for Sourcing Managers
This book delivers on the experience of one of the top sourcing professionals and it translates to a clear and concrete book; any longer and it would have diminished credibility.It's the right length and lessons are crystal.I wouldn't be surprised if this book ends up in every business school library and perhaps in every supply chain department that does business with China. ... Read more

Product Description
Speak the Language - Understand the Concepts - Know the Techniques The Lean Manufacturing Pocket Handbook is intended as a reference guide covering the terms, concepts and techniques involved in Lean Manufacturing. It is written in an easy to understand fashion making it useful to both the seasoned Professional and the Novice. Paper Back - .125" x 3 13/16" x 5 1/16" - 44 Pages - 27 Visuals - 34 Definitions - 16 Examples. Also Available in Spanish see: El Manual De Bolsillo De Manufactura Esbelta ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

Good things do not always come in small packages
Caveat emptor. Good things do not always come in small packages. This is a case of getting a small "thing" I a small package.

On the positive side, this book truly is a "pocket" handbook. It is SMALL - UNDER 5 x 4 inches and 1/8 inch thick.

However, its portability does not compensate for its lack of scope and depth. It contains 40 numbered pages. It covers only the most basic 14 lean techniques in 23 pages at a very basic level. The 8-point font gives the text a crowded appearance.

This little yellow book is "lean" in every way - size, materials, font, layout, scope, depth, and value. I bought two other lean handbooks at the same time. This one is by far the least useful adn the worst value. I cannot imagine why someone would carry this around thinking they had a "handbook" in their pocket. An outline maybe, a handbook no. In fact, it would be much more accurate to call this "book" the a "Lean Manufactuing Outline." It could be easilty converted to an iPhone app since the page area inside the margins is about the same size as an iPhone screen and a "book" this size could downloaded in the time it takes to download a ring tone. Spend you money on the 7 ring tones that are the same price. You will be happier you did.

Very Thin on Content
I have worked in the field of Lean and Kaizen for over 20 years and have a degree in Industrial Engineering. This book is a waste of money. Too thin and not very informative. You can boil down green beans until they are mush. This is mush.

Talk about LEAN!This skinny pamphlet is undernourished!
I am preparing for LEAN certification by SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineering).I have built a library of LEAN and Six Sigma reference and training books.This book is useless.
If you need a pocket guide for mobility go with the The Lean Pocket Guide@ $7.95.

Very tiny book
Very tiny book. I was not expecting such a small book. Very expensive item for its size.
Book arrived with a grease stain on the cover!

Handy Reference, Perfect for Training Seminar
If I had to give a 1-2 day seminar on the subject, this would be a handy handbook. For that purpose, it should be used, not as a general reference on lean manufacturing.

If this review was helpful, please add your vote. Thanks. ... Read more

Product Description
"The one and only reason to go lean is to make more money", says Bill Carreira. Lean Manufacturing That Works is the first book to bring all the principles of lean manufacturing to where they're needed most: the shop floor and the people supervising daily operations. Engagingly written and easy to put to work, the book features essential tools that can help streamline operations in any manufacturing environment.Section 1 presents a thorough overview of lean, with discussions of: cost and cash flow; velocity and lead time; what waste is and how it affects both profit and customer satisfaction; how to quantify opportunities to become more profitable; and how to use lean manufacturing to both complement and implement business strategy.Section 2 gives step-by-step, dollar-by-dollar guidance on creating a lean process at virtually any manufacturing company, from laying out processes to transitioning and training employees. There is also valuable insight on establishing metrics and ensuring continuous improvement. Gaining specific, practical knowledge with every page, the reader will move effortlessly through the book and return to the shop floor with a workable plan for cutting waste and boosting profits. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

Nice and easy book for realizing "Lean Manufacturing" method
This book presents the idea of Lean Manufacturing in a lucid and neat way; reader will be stuck to it to end, especially because of its so many everyday-kind of real stories.

Lots of examples
Helped a lot...bought for a friend after reading a library copy.Author gives many examples of how implementation works by drawing from his many consulting engagements.Questions are realistic.
Interesting read.

Condesending Attitude is too Much
The subject matter is of much interest to me as I have a BBA and an MBA in Operations Management and have only worked in manufacturng environments. I am staring a new job tomorrow and catching up on reading about my profession after being unemployed for 5 months. This author's writing style is too condesending though. I am at Chapter 10 right now out of 20 and it's about value-stream mapping which will be very helpful for me to brush up on sense I am starting a new position. I am going to try to get through it but I would not recommend it.

Lean production
I have found this book very informative, but since I work in textile mill it is very hard to implement all this. But now I understand what kind of process is valued and non valued. The problem I face is that our mill is 90 years old and in vast area, with big machinery that are up to 30 m long. So moving them around is out of the question. So I have concentrate on single production facility bottlenecks, and I have found a few, but like I sad, god book but in textile kind of business as a producer I will have rough time to implement 5S and other stuff, but then again good reading.

Lean Manufacturing that works
I did not like the style of writting.Many "joke"-alike phrases that simply make the number of pages grow.It seemed to me that this is not about writting a book but simply publishing notes from one of the sessions the writer conducted. ... Read more

Product Description
Engineers rely on Groover because of the book’s quantitative and engineering-oriented approach that provides more equations and numerical problem exercises. The fourth edition introduces more modern topics, including new materials, processes and systems.  End of chapter problems are also thoroughly revised to make the material more relevant. Several figures have been enhanced to significantly improve the quality of artwork. All of these changes will help engineers better understand the topic and how to apply it in the field. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Good Product
I got the book I ordered before the shipping time was up and it was in new condition like advertised.

Manufacturing engineering book
Was in great condition, the book was like brand new just like it was stated in the description. I was very satisfied and would definitely would order from this seller again!

Pretty nice
The binding had seen better days but besides that the book is in excelent condition.Can't complain for a used book.

Fundamentals of Modern Manufacturing
I think this is a great reference book.I have had prof. Groover in 3 of my Industrial Engineering classes at Lehigh University.There is not a single semester when I don't go back to use the book as a reference.The book is very easy to read, and to understand. ... Read more

Product Description

Manufacturing Planning and Control Systems for SupplyChain Management is both the classic field handbook formanufacturing professionals in virtually any industry and thestandard preparatory text for APICS certification courses. Thisessential reference has been totally revised and updated to giveprofessionals the knowledge they need.

Customer Reviews (7)

Manufacturing Planning and Control
Updated and Informative. A competent, well rounded text to aid the understanding of Supply Chain Management. Graphics could be more colorfull.

Warning Students!This may be the wrong book!
There is another book from this publisher and authors with an almost identical title."Manufacturing Planning and Control for Supply Chain Management", notice how it omits the word "Systems".The book titled without the word "systems" was the book I needed, however this is the book I bought.Warning, If you are a student, this book will be significantly shorter than the above mentioned and will not have end of chapter questions and problems.The author and publisher (possibly Amazon as well) really needs to update this with a warning or suggestion that this may be the wrong book.This was the case for me.I find it humorous that a book that stresses importance in supply chain quality and correctness would make such a tremendous and obvious SUPPLY CHAIN BLUNDER!Both the authors and publisher really needed to do more to differentiate the two books by both title and some additional information to lead students to the correct text.I am a very dissatisfied customer as I now have to find a way to get this book as well.I can assure you I will find a way to get it without paying for it because college text books are not cheap!

Director of Lean and Operational Excellence
This is an excellent real world operations reference book.It includes lean systems thinking - from the demand and capacity (internal and external) management,inventory planning, execution and performance management.I recommend it.

Ron Fardell
Director of Lean and Operational Excellence
Textron Inc

No Textbook Problems Provided
I purchased this book for a class at my university, however I was unaware that there were no problems or review questions at the end of each chapter. Of course my professor assigns homework, I now have to purchase a new textbook that actually contains the assigned material.

Comprehensive coverage of MPC in theory and practice

It remains for others better qualified than I am to determine whether or not this book is "the definitive guide for professionals" but I do consider it to be one of the most informative and one of the most valuable I have read thus far. The comments which follow focus on the Fifth Edition (2005) in which the co-authors (Thomas E. Vollman, William L. Berry, D. Clay Whybark, and F. Robert Jacobs) update, supplement, or delete material from previous editions as well as add new concepts "in response to changing needs." They also explain that they revised the basic organization of their book "in response to changes in the environment in which manufacturing planning and control (MPC) systems operate."

For example, the implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and the continuing decentralization of decision-making to the factory floor. The environment has also become more complicated by the proliferation of globalization initiatives. As a result, the authors note, "the interconnectedness of manufacturing firms has increased substantially. The implication of this is that companies are now often integrated as customers of their suppliers and integrated with customers whom they supply in complicated ways. This has created the need to manage some very complex supply chains or networks." Vollman, Berry, Whybark, and Jacobs produced this Fifth Edition in response to changes such as these.

Of special interest to me is the material provided in Chapter 4, "Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) - Integrated Systems." For various reasons that the authors cite, it is highly desirable, in fact imperative that decision-making be centralized if the given system is to take full advantage of economies of scale. Redundant transactions must be minimized, if not eliminated. With regard to knowledge management, information must be captured at the source, with any process of transactions fully documented. (Many senior-level executives express the same exasperation: "If only we knew what we know!") In fact, all processes must efficiently support the data needs of the ERP system. Hence the importance of communication, cooperation, and especially, collaboration at all levels and within all areas of the given supply chain. Moreover, a set of performance measures must be formulated in coordination with appropriate policies, procedures, and objectives. Economies of scale can also be achieved if fewer software and hardware platforms are needed during ERP implementation.

Credit the authors with their effective use of various reader-friendly devices as they present their material. For example, check out the Brief Contents and Contents pages that offer an uncommonly specific explanation of what is covered in each chapter. (The latter is the most detailed I have as yet encountered in a business book.) Also, the recurring sections (e.g. Company Examples, Concluding Principles, and References) at the conclusion of most chapters. Many readers will probably refer to the Contents more often than to the Index.

Although this volume will probably be most valuable to those enrolled in business courses and especially if preparing for certification by the Association for Operations Management, I think it will also be of interest and value to those about to embark upon or are now involved in process improvement initiatives. Some of the best opportunities to eliminate waste while increasing efficiency and productivity can be found within a supply chain. ... Read more

Product Description

This has been a pivotal question since America's inception. Am I not happy enough because I am depressed? is a more recent version. In the past twenty years, as antidepressants have become staples of our medicine chests -- upward of thirty million Americans are taking them at an annual cost of more than ten billion dollars -- more people have begun to ask themselves if their unhappiness is a disease that can, and should, be treated by medication.

Part memoir, part intellectual history, part exposé, Manufacturing Depression reveals how this question has come to dominate our understanding of our suffering. Author Gary Greenberg draws on sources ranging from the Old Testament to current medical journals and scholarship to his twenty-five years as a psychotherapist and his own experience as a depression patient to show how the idea that depression is a widespread chronic disease has been packaged by brilliant scientists, doctors, and marketing experts -- and why it is has become wildly successful in the marketplace of ideas.

Rather than asking whether or not depression is a disease, or whether or not we should take drugs to ease our pain, Greenberg asks what we gain and lose by taking this approach, and who benefits when we do. Manufacturing Depression allows readers to think of depression not just as an illness, but as a story about our suffering, its source, and its relief. A remarkably intelligent, witty, and deeply perceptive writer and professional observer, Greenberg has insights and perspective that are bound to spark much debate, and challenge many -- experts and casual readers alike -- to view depression in a wholly new light. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (37)

To Drug or Not to Drug?
With all the ads on television and in magazines touting the effects of wondrous anti-depression medications, it's hard to know what's real and what's manufactured by spin doctors.It's even become increasingly difficult to know if depression (excluding the seriously debilitating kind) is something that is truly unhealthy.Does it need to be treated with drugs or not?If you pay attention to all the advertising we're bombarded with, you come away feeling that you need medication. Why?Money, baby!

In my (unprofessional) opinion, medication can be a wonderful, life-changing thing for some people, but for many, it's unnecessary, maybe even harmful. (And I'm not even talking about all those side effects the advertisers are required to list off.)

The differentiation between "normal" depression and the devastating kind is blurrier than ever. Normal depression, some experts say, is important. This makes sense because it helps you change gears and find new things to do that will improve your life; it gives you a reason to try to pull out of a rut, a bad situation, or lousy relationship. If you medicate this kind of depression away, it seems to me that it may lead to more serious, long-term depression because you've done nothing that doesn't involve drugs to get rid of it.

Author Gary Greenberg has suffered lifelong bouts of depression, and has written a fabulous book that covers his own and others' experiences as well as the technical aspects of depression, the standard views of the medical/pharma folks, and the marketers who have turned depression into a money-making mainstay for pharmaceutical companies.

Greenberg also gives us a complete history of depression and its treatments, minor to major, and he does so with wit and verve, covering everything from early theories to Freud, to shock therapy, surgery, and modern ideas about serotonin and other chemicals our brains manufacture. The subject is serious, but the writing is amusing, and at times, laugh-out-loud funny.It sort of makes the book a possible anecdote if you're feeling blue.

Greenberg covers it all in this hefty tome, and it's absolutely fascinating, fun, and will help you understand yourself and your own needs. He offers a plethora of ideas.If you use or are considering using drugs -- or giving them up, for that matter, I recommend reading the book.There are many options, many theories, and knowledge is power. Big thumbs up!

This is some mountain to climb!
and at the end of it I was depressed.

The author simply drags this out too much.

This is a lot of information crammed into 400 paes, mixed with Psychological history, ranging from Freud to Pavlov, and the efforts of the drug companies to "market" depression, along with the authors own individual struggles as both patient and counselor.

Frankly, there is so much info, I couldn't finish the book.

Chapter 9 begins:
"This chapter is going to be full of words like catecholamine, and iminodibenzyl and phenothiazine.I'm not exactly apologizing for this, but I am warning you:this might be a good time to take a stret and get some coffee..."

Amen to that, and that's what I did.

A rambling, confusing account
This is a very confused and confusing book, and I kept on reading it not so much because I liked it,but because I wanted to figure out why anyone else would like it (all those great reviews) and because I became intrigued with the workings of the author's mind. What, I wondered was the source of all his confusion and anger?

As a history of the modern concept of depression and the development of antidepressants, I found that it meandered here and there, dipped into this and that, and did not keep up a coherent story line or argument. There were anecdotes that seemed beside the point.After a while, I became so frustrated that I decided to skip the middle chapters of the book. (Chapter 13 on CBT was an exception; it was lucid and informative.)

The development of the author's own ideas on depression is even more disordered. This is a person, a therapist, who cured his own depression by taking an illegal drug, but who is vehemently opposed to seeing depression as a biochemical illness. This is a person who seeks treatment for his own depression (and treats others) --so he must understand how destructive and degrading depression can be, but he treats those who would cure it by physical means as enemies of humanity. (Easy enough to do when you're talking about pharmaceutical companies--isn't the phrase "shooting fish in a barrel"?)

Finally, toward the end of the book, I began to see (I think) the source of the author's inconsistencies and anger. He seems to be one of these "Either/Or" thinkers. So either depression is a psychological/existential condition that results from the tragedies and indignities of life, or it's a biological/chemical illness. This kind of thinking dooms the book from the start. If you think you have to make a choice, you're always going to choose meaning over chemicals and be angry at anyone who suggests otherwise.

But of course, there is no either/or. It is both the case that depression is biological and that it is psychological. There is room for both psychotherapists and neuroscientists. Depression is caused by both physical events in the brain and by psychological events, thoughts, and meanings in one's life. And depression is cured both by physical means (drugs, shock, exercise) and by psychological means (therapy, improved relationships, new interpretations.)

By the end of the book, the author seemed to be figuring this out. I hope so. But I also hope that those who want to understand depression go elsewhere. The most insightful and helpful book on depression I have found is "The Mindful Way Through Depression."

Manufacturing depression
An unusually interesting book: historically accurate, illuminating a current perversion of our society consisting in transforming into diseases many unpleasant situations, and putting them under medical guard; but physicians are not at all trained for dealing with this highly complex human situations; highly readable, some time sarcastic, I very much enjoyed it.

Now I'm REALLY Depressed!
I recommend this book for anyone who suffers from depression, especially those who are taking any kind of depression medication.

By laying out the history of the treatment of mental disorders through the years, the author makes a pretty convincing case that folks are buying just as much snake oil today as they did back in the nineteenth century.

Only now, the FDA and the AMA seem to be endorsing it.

The author dissects most of the so-called facts behind the claimed efficacy of these drugs, and boy, have we been sold a bill of goods.Or bads.

It seems that most of the pills have little more effect than placebos like sugar pills.But sugar pills don't have horrendous side effects like suppressing your libido or making you commit suicide.

As for the various talking cures, no one is really more effective than another.But -- there is some therapy in the simple act of seeking therapy -- finding an empathetic professional to talk to.

Folks, as someone who has made a living -- or in recent years, tried to -- in the field of advertising, believe me when I say what it took me many years to admit to myself: the more they try to sell you something, the less you actually need it!

I will also confirm what any review of the help wanted ads will prove: the one area of advertising that has grown in leaps and bounds in recent years is health care, including pharmaceuticals.Deduce what you will!

The author includes some of his own experiences with mental health professionals in this book, which are equally enlightening.He also has a ready wit, a kind heart, and more clear-headed wisdom than most of the so-called professionals in his field, all of which he displays here, even in passages dense with chemical formulas.

I did deduct one star, because it felt as if there was a bit of redundancy in the book -- the author repeats many of the same arguments throughout.

Still I would strongly encourage anyone who is thinking of taking an anti-depressant to read this book first.

You may conclude that it is far more safe and effective to get on board Willie Nelson's bus than take prescription meds, especially if you use a vaporizer to eliminate dangerous tars when inhaling...

And for heaven's sake -- even if you have a spiffy new flat-screen TV that continues to work for longer than a year or two -- TURN IT OFF OCCASIONALLY!Read a book -- like this one... ... Read more

Product Description
There are many different ways in which a product can be manufactured, but most designers probably know only a handful of techniques in any detail. Using contemporary design as a vehicle to describe production processes, this book covers a broad range of almost 90 production methods with descriptive text, specially commissioned diagrams, product shots, and photographs of the manufacturing process. It will appeal not only to product designers involved in lighting, consumer electronics, packaging, domestic accessories and tableware, but also to interior designers, furniture and graphic designers who need access to a range of production methods, as well as to all students of design. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Good Enough Guide
While it does offer good systematized information, it's certainly not complete if you really want to invest time in finding out how it's all really made. I've found more informative books on the topic, also aimed at designers. However, this book does come in a pleasant package, very nicely printed, and with good value/cost ratio.

Excellent for learning about some of the newer production processes
Its not often that a book of this quality is written with Industrial Design in mind; a very well researched and written work with a lot of cutting edge processes explained.A jewel in the junk-heap!

A classic 3 rating.
Has pictures but in most cases not nearly enough to illustrate the concepts of each production method. Not enough pictures of finished products made with each method. The writing was too general and lacked insightful statements that made you feel like you might understand the methods.

The production quality of the book was very high with graphical elements abounding. They should have spent more money on content and less on the sizzle. This deserves a 2nd printing but ONLY with vastly expanded picturing of both production and product results.

If you have no knowledge of how things are made
If you have no knowledge of manufacturing process, this book simplifies each complicated process into a concise information that is easy to understand. It's a great reference on how products are made before they make it into the shelves.

great infos
All of Lefteri's books are great, i have the one on plastics
and now this one. So my review is of course positive.
Without getting into details, this book is fresh, with
up to date references and nice examples.
As a designer, its a tool but also fun to read.
Enjoy and keep it simple.

Jeremy Petrus ... Read more

Product Description
As a consultant, Kiyoshi Suzaki has helped scores of Fortune 500 clients improve manufacturing operations and get the job done faster, cheaper, better, and safer. Now, in this detailed "operating manual" -- full of more step-by-step applications than any other book available -- Suzaki spells out new options in production and employee resources that can help American industry regain the cutting edge in price, quality, and delivery of products.

A well-known expert in the field, Suzaki begins with the premise that "if it doesn't add value, it's waste" -- a concept devised by Henry Ford and later used by Toyota. He recaps what Toyota identifies as the seven most prominent forms of waste in factories. Most importantly, he meticulously details steps individuals can take to "simplify, combine, and eliminate operations" -- thereby reducing waste, improving quality, and saving money.

Describing in detail the basic techniques culled from Japanese industrial philosophy and procedure, Suzaki shows how small, family-run businesses and billion-dollar American corporations from a wide range of industries -- automotive, electronics, cosmetics, and even defense contractors -- are meeting the manufacturing challenge today -- demolishing the widely held belief that most American manufacturers have become distribution organizations for products manufactured overseas. In addition, he links his methodology with several successful production systems, from Just-In-Time Production, Total Quality Control, Total Productive Maintenance to Computer Integrated Manufacturing. Throughout this practical handbook, he places emphasis squarely on the shop floor and grounds his approach in easy, yet powerful techniques everybody can understand and implement today.

Illustrated with numerous charts and exhibits, The New Manufacturing Challenge shows how to integrate people and techniques to improve the workplace and, thus, strengthen any company's competitiveness in the global marketplace. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Moment of reflection
As the author of this book, I hope it is ok to rate this with five stars - the book which have been sold more than 100,000 copies in the last 22 years.

I wrote this book, triggered by the comment which is found on page 226:(In) the book In Search of Excellence, a GM worker, laid off after sixteen years of service in the Pontiac Division, was quoted: "I guess I got laid off because I make poor quality cars.But in sixteeen years, not once I ever asked a suggestion as to how to do my job better.Not once."

More than two decades went by.Now, the Pontiac brand is gone, and GM is in bankruptcy/government bail-out.

I realize that the book may be seen old and nothing but commonsense.Even the title may appear unfit.Yet, isn't it still valid to think that there is wisdom to be captured at the shop floor, and "act" accordingly not losing the genuine spirit of the New Manufacturing Challenge.

Thank you, and best wishes!
Kiyoshi Suzaki

World Class Manufacturing 101
Should be required reading for anyone involved in manufacturing...from the shop floor to the CEO.

It's a concise and practical guide to World Class Manufacturing without all the faddish-hype surrounding the Toyota Production System.

The best introduction to lean
Suzaki's book, like the other introductory texts, describes the operations of factories practicing JIT/lean production, but not how to convert a traditional plant. It describes the destination but not the way to get there. This is appropriate for readers who are new to the subject, and Suzaki writes well enough to retain a manager's attention during air travel.

The Classic that transcended the time
I still go back to this now a classic to get the sense out of it.There are many techniques, ideas, but more importantly, it points the appreciation of people engaged in the process of continuous improvement as a core to drive us to move forward.Whatever way people may call this stuff, the person who discovered the principle of improvement cannot but to move on in his life for the betterment.

By the way, there is a 3.5hour video correponding to this book still available at SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers).Read the book, share the examples, confirm the principle, practice the heartbeat of improvement, and keep on moving forward.

Good luck!

Continuous Improvement Principles
This is an easy read book with some excellent ideas.Highly recommended for anyone wanting to improve something.The ideas can be used also in service and general life -- although primarily aimed at manufacturing. ... Read more

Product Description

An up-to-date text that provides a solid background in manufacturing processes, with a total of 120 examples and case studies, current and comprehensive coverage of all topics, and superior two-color graphics.

The sixth edition has been completely updated, and addresses issues essential to modern manufacturing, ranging from traditional topics such as casting, forming, machining, and joining, to advanced topics such as the fabrication of microelectronic devices and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), and nanomaterials and nanomanufacturing.

A valuable reference text for manufacturing professionals.

Customer Reviews (8)

Very good manufacturing text
I've taught a quarter-long Manufacturing Processes course out of this text (and its predecessor) for four years, and plan to continue using it.This text presents a great overview of a wide variety of processes, which is exactly what I'm trying to achieve.It also goes into reasonable depth with many processes.I do not attempt to cover the entire text in one quarter, however -- I use roughly half.

When asked on end-of-term evaluations whether they agreed with the statement, "The textbook was valuable in my learning experience," students consistently rated this text 4.1/5.0.The average score campus-wide for textbooks is 3.6/5.0.Anecdotally, the handful of students who actually bother reading the text come up to me and say, "It really is interesting and easy to read."

Yes, there are some errors which have been frustratingly carried over from the 5th edition, but you catch many of them with a first reading.They knock it down from 5- to 4-stars, but I'm still really happy with the text.

Huge, wordy, confusing and poorly written sometimes, but you probably need it for your class
If you are buying this book for a class, good luck.I still remember the day I took my comprehensive final over its 1000+ pages.So much fun!The book itself provides a surface-deep discussion of a million manufacturing topics, so though it is long and poorly written at times, it will still be a good reference book.Stinks for learning out of, though.

Quick delivery
I selected next day delivery, and it came as scheduled.

Book was fine with no problems, except slight dent on the side of the hard cover, probably due to handling. But that doesn't really bother me, so it's okay.

Great Price, fast shipping
This textbook is in very good condition, and I got it for a very low price compared to retail. I would highly recommend this seller for your engineering textbook needs.

Excellent
Book is in great condition and I got in it a timely manner and it was way cheaper than the book store. ... Read more

Product Description

In the decade since the publication of Rajan Suri’s landmark book, Quick Response Manufacturing, the innovative principles of QRM have been proven with impressive results at many companies, big and small, in a variety of industries. While the key principles of QRM remain unchanged, after a decade of teaching QRM workshops to senior executives, Suri has developed a clear, concise, and accessible method of presenting QRM strategy using four core concepts:

1. The Power of Time – the huge impact time has on your entire enterprise
2. Organization Structure – how to structure your organization to reduce lead times
3. System Dynamics – understanding how interactions between jobs and resources impact time to make better decisions on capacity, lot sizes, and similar issues
4. Enterprise-Wide Application – QRM is not just a shop floor strategy, it extends across your whole enterprise including material planning and control, supply management, office operations, and new product introduction

Presenting new case studies on QRM implementation, It's About Time: The Competitive Advantage of Quick Response Manufacturing illustrates how QRM can not only reduce lead times but also improve quality, reduce operating costs, and enable companies to gain substantial market share. This practical reference explains how factories in advanced nations can use QRM strategy to compete with manufacturers in low-wage countries. In addition, it provides helpful pointers for QRM implementation, including accounting strategies, novel cost-justification approaches, and a stepwise process for implementation.

Also included is a bonus CD with five appendices that provide a number of practical details to assist in the success of your QRM implementation. When you are ready to start implementing QRM, you will find that these appendices contain time-saving tips to help you work through implementation issues—including simple calculation methods and tools to support the design of your QRM strategy.

Customer Reviews (3)

Excellent, well written, and useful to managers
Rajan Suri has produced an excellent book about the Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM) method that he and his students have pioneered. This is not just a proposal: QRM is an established method, used by large numbers of companies over more than a decade. It has produced striking improvements in profitability by reducing wasted time in process, thus reducing both expense and customer waiting time. Especially in the recent recession, some users have credited this method with helping their companies to survive.

Unlike Suri's 1998 technical book on QRM, this one is aimed at senior managers. There's very little technical material but a lot of clear explanation of how implementing QRM changes the business process and improves performance. It's clearly written and very readable, with many specific examples from real companies to illustrate the benefits.

This is good reading for managers, not only in manufacturing but also in many service industries where QRM is also applicable. I highly recommend it.

The Future of Manufacturing
If you think you understand manufacturing and you aren't familiar with Rajan Suri's time-based theories and strategies you are in danger of becoming seriously out-of-date.A lot of company's have made a lot of money through adoption of the Toyota Production System (TPS). TPS success is based on a high volume/low variability demand.That world is disappearing and manufacturers who realy on TPS to minimize their non-productive waste will find that going forward it no longer produces the results it once did.This book presents both a supplementary and alternative approach to TPS that adapts to the modern demand environment.

The book is very well written and very easily read.It is valuable on many levels, from defining practical shop floor practices to helping executive officers understand more effective "big picture" strategies.The issues Suri brings up relative to Standard Accounting Principles--- and the negative impact they can have on manufacturing efficiencies--- are beginning to be heard in many places. No-one, however, describes these issues, or how to effectively address them, as well as Suri does.Even though the ideas and strategies in this book are based on complicated system dynamics (queueing theory) Suri is able to present them without taking the reader into too much academic detail--- although I will say that his recommentations on batch sizing require him to introduce some.

This book is a "must" read for everyone who needs to understand how to compete in manufacturing in the 21st century, particularly those who currently believe that off-shore sourcing is actually a low cost strategy.Rajan Suri ideas have more depth and make more sense than those of most of the better-know manufacturing gurus.I have little doubt that at some point his work will gain more visibility--- perhaps with this publishing of this book--- and a lot of manufacturing's current standard practices will be thrown for a loop because of it.

This Stuff Works
It's About Time is a follow-on book to Rajan Suri's original book on Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM). I pre-ordered the book because I have used QRM and can say without a doubt that it works in both office and manufacturing situations. I used QRM principles in the office with an 83% time reduction and have used it in manufacturing with a 64% time reduction. These techniques were used in a highly variable mixed-model environment where previous consultants failed (after spending mega-bucks) using "straight lean" techniques. Don't get me wrong, lean has its place, but QRM solves many of the issues that lean does not (especially in mixed model "job shop" type environments).
Rajan's new book provides many additional practical insights and explanations based on the 10+ years of QRM success. The CD containing the appendicies is a nice touch to explain some of the concepts in greater detail. This is a great book which answers many of the day-to-day dilemmas facing industry,office, and service businesses today. The book reads fast and is hard to put down.
I am a lean consultant who holds seven lean/six sigma certifications & I am also a lean manufacturing instructor for the University of Minnesota.
If there was a grade higher than an "A", I would give it to this book!
I can be reached at 952-941-0912 for further discussion on this book.
Jim McCarthy- Master Black Belt & Lean Master
Eden Prairie, Minnesota
... Read more

Product Description
FDA Regulations and Associated Guidance Documents:-Part 11 Electronic Records; Electronic Signatures-Part 26Mutual Recognition of Pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Practice Reports, Medical Device Quality System Audit Reports, and Certain Medical Device Product Evaluation Reports: United States and the European Community-Part 200Drugs General-Part 207Registration of Producers of Drugs and Listing of Drugs in Commercial Distribution-Part 210Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Processing, Packing, or Holding of Drugs-Part 211Current Good Manufacturing Practice For Finished Pharmaceuticals-Part 600Biological Products: General-Part 807Establishment Registration and Device Listing for Manufacturers and Initial Importers of Devices-Part 820Quality System RegulationReference Tools:-Glossaries combined in one location-GMP Keyword Index for 21CFR211-Combined Index for all documents ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

CFR's in a book
Not bad. I thought there would be more interpretive information, but this is just a book that presents you with organization of CFR's that you can get online.Granted, the FDA website does not make that easy, so this book is a good, quick way to find what you need.

Excellent resource
This book is a handy 'must-have' reference for industry professionals striving for excellence in compliance and remediation.Useful as an academic tool or as an industry guide, many will regard this work as a valuable resource, and as a great value overall.

Far better than a pocket reference
Designed as a critical textbook for training and an essential industry desk reference for those either new to the field or experienced, this book is an indispensable tool for anyone working in the quality assurance or regulatory affairs functions for pharmaceuticals, biotech, and medical device companies. Includes all updates and changes through December 2009.

Included Reference Tools:
* CGMP Overview (perfect for cGMP annual training)
* Glossaries combined and cross-referenced in one location
* GMP Keyword Index for 21CFR211
* Combined Index for all regulations and guidance documents
* Chapters 1 and 2 provide all of the orientation information for mandatory annual cGMP refresher training.
* Questions and Answers on Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) for Drugs

FDA Regulations:
* Part 11 Electronic Records; Electronic Signatures
* Part 26 Mutual Recognition of Pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Practice Reports, Medical Device Quality System Audit Reports, and Certain Medical Device Product Evaluation Reports: United States and the European Community
* Part 200 Drugs General
* Part 207 Registration of Producers of Drugs and Listing of Drugs in Commercial Distribution
* Part 210 Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Processing, Packing, or Holding of Drugs
* Part 211 Current Good Manufacturing Practice For Finished Pharmaceuticals
* Part 600 Biological Products: General
* Part 807 Establishment Registration and Device Listing for Manufacturers and Initial Importers of Devices
* Part 820 Quality System Regulation

Associated Guidance Documents:
* FDA Regulation and Guidance Overview
* Guidance for Industry: Part 11
* Current Good Manufacturing Process for Combination Products
* CGMP for Phase 1 Investigational Drugs
* PAT - A Framework for Innovative Pharmaceutical Development, Manufacturing, and Quality Assurance
* Quality Systems Approach to Current Good Manufacturing Practice Regulations
* Formal Dispute Resolution: Scientific and Technical Issues Related to Pharmaceutical CGMP
* Guideline on General Principles of Process Validation
* Guidance for Formal Dispute Resolution: Scientific and Technical Issues Related to Pharmaceutical CGMP

Great Reference
This book is a must have for anyone in the industry.Allport-Settle organizes the massive amount of complex regulation and guidance information in an intuitive way, creating a one-stop-shop for that information you almost always need on hand, but never seem to have.A great manual for both reference and training.I highly recommend it.

Easy to understand and find Regs and Docs
If you are looking for an easy to use Reference Guide - this is your gold mine.The structure provides the ability to find things quickly and answer the most complex questions.I have only owned this for a short time but wish I had found it years ago.It has saved me a ton of time from searching through complicated verbage and text, for guidance and reduced my searches to a fraction of the time.

... Read more

Product Description
In his best-selling book Japanese Manufacturing Techniques, Richard J. Schonberger revolutionized American manufacturing theory and, more important, practice. In that breakthrough book, he revealed that Japanese manufacturing excellence was not culturally bound. Offering the first demystified explanation of the simple techniques that fueled Japan's industrial success, he demonstrated how the same methods could be put to work as effectively in U.S. plants.

Now, in World Class Manufacturing, Schonberger returns to tell the success stories of nearly 100 American corporations -- including Hewlett-Packard, Harley-Davidson, General Motors, Honeywell, and Uniroyal -- that have adopted the famed just-in-time production and "total quality control" strategies. Based on his firsthand experience as a major consultant to American industry, he examines how they did it -- and illustrates how the same concrete, specific steps used by these top companies can be implemented in any factory today. What's more, Schonberger shows that his bold concepts and reforms apply equally to all industries, whether the product is computers, pasta, or trucks, and to all divisions -- from manufacturing and engineering to accounting and marketing.

According to Schonberger, world-class manufacturing depends on blended management -- rather than domination by a separate group of managers -- which marshalls resources for continual rapid improvement. To achieve world-class status, companies must change procedures and concepts, which in turn leads to recasting relations among suppliers, purchasers, producers, and customers. Acknowledging the difficulty inherent in such changes, Schonberger stresses that employee involvement and interaction, both on the shop floor and in the decision-making/problem-solving process, is key. Wary of those who view improvement in terms of modernizing equipment, he points out that making maximum use of people and current machinery is a company's first priority; automation, if necessary, should come much later.

World Class Manufacturing also includes Schonberger's 17-point action agenda to guide innovators toward manufacturing excellence, from getting to know the customer to cutting the number of suppliers, reducing error in production, and deciding when and how to automate.

Indispensable for all manufacturing innovators who aim to keep ahead of the competition, this inspiring, groundbreaking volume does much more than just recommend or theorize about the new manufacturing approach. Plainly, realistically, and logically, it explains how it's done. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Highly Recommended!
Richard J. Schonberger, author of the critically acclaimed book, Japanese Manufacturing Techniques, which revolutionized American manufacturing theory and practices, now examines how world-class manufacturing techniques can be implemented by American corporations. This 1986 classic remains valuable, since manufacturing changes do not happen overnight, and plenty of companies are far from world-class in their approach to efficiency and productivity. Schonberger writes clearly, authoritatively and often amusingly, covering every element of world-class manufacturing in detail. We at getAbstract recommend this book for everyone involved in the manufacturing process, not just mangers and executives, but all employees who seek a context and a future for their work.

If you want to manufacture better-- here you go.
I must say that I first read this because I had to, but onceI did it (really, now) changed my outlook on production. The author details not only the whys of good manufacturing practice, but also the hows and then goes into many case studies to demonstrate that he's not just blowing smoke from his ivory tower.Even better, the stuff works!One division of my company got hooked on the "World Class"bandwagon before it came into vogue.I went to tour their facility and I swore I had walked into Schonberger's book. Anyway, applied correctly, this book can turn your systems upside down and make you more profitable than you can almost imagine (inventory turns over 100? Believe it!).The best thing is that all this happens by developing employees and truly giving the line responsibility for production to the individual line workers.Tough stuff for mostcompanies to even consider, and perhaps my only criticism of the book is that the author doesn't give an accuratepicture of how long a transition from "traditional"management to World Class Mfg can require.Our facilityworked for six years to get it right, which is actually very good for this transition (he says allow for a 10 year plan in his 1996 sequel, also excellent).Anyway, I'm putting theory into practice in my own mfg line, and thankfully I have this book to guide me.I'm buying copies for everyone in my production team and we'll "goback to school," so to speak.Wish me luck. ... Read more

Product Description

This book provides the most advanced, comprehensive, and balanced coverage on the market of the technical and engineering aspects of automated production systems. It covers all the major cutting-edge technologies of production automation and material handling, and how these technologies are used to construct modern manufacturing systems. Manufacturing Operations; Industrial Control Systems; Sensors, Actuators, and Other Control System Components; Numerical Control; Industrial Robotics; Discrete Control Using Programmable Logic Controllers and Personal Computers; Material Transport Systems; Storage Systems; Automatic Data Capture; Single Station Manufacturing Cells; Group Technology and Cellular Manufacturing; Flexible Manufacturing Systems; Manual Assembly Lines; Transfer Lines and Similar Automated Manufacturing Systems; Automated Assembly Systems; Statistical Process Control; Inspection Principles and Practices; Inspection Technologies; Product Design and CAD/CAM in the Production System; Process Planning and Concurrent Engineering; Production Planning and Control Systems; and Lean Production and Agile Manufacturing. For anyone interested in Automation, Production Systems, and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing.

Customer Reviews (6)

Best in field
The best in its field. Very well balanced text, figures, chapters, etc. Very well written. Good examples and problems. Excellent figures. Chapters on production planning and control offer good context for core chapters on automation. Try using NXT kits to develop labs for this subject.

High quantity, but average quality
This book covers a huge amount of topics related to the automation, organisation and control of production systems.
I studied this book for a class, and I think that the quality of especially the quantative methods presented is only fair.

Besides that: the content on the automation- and controltopics, is way out of date.

Nice book (if you can buy it second hand), but money can buy better books new.

From a student point of view
Lacking important concepts from 1st edition that should have been in the chapters on production mathematical models. (Scrap, Time In Plant, etc.)Good descriptions of general machine automation processes.Good overview of NC, CNC machining, covering more in these chapters than some texts associated with only this topic.Good overview chapters of industrial robotics, PLC control and programming, in-plant material handling, manufacturing system schemes, assembly systems, quality control, Statisics, inspection and planning.Overall a very capable text.When coupled with a well developed laboratory, would be a text for a very complete college level Industrial Automation course.

comprehensive and informative
This books explains the fundamental principles as well as practicalapplications of computer-based manufacturing in a clear and effectivemanner.The illustrations complement the text well, and are worth theprice of the book alone.

One of the best IE books
I sincerely believe that this book has been one of the best in its field. I just hope that Prof. Groover will publish another edition of this book reflecting the current changes in the manufacturing world. ... Read more

Product Description
Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM) builds uponkaizen, TQM, TPM, and other strategies to use speed for competitiveadvantage. The difference between QRM and other time-based programs isQRM involves the entire organization--from the shop floor to theoffice, from purchasing to sales.

Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM) is an expansion oftime-based competition (TBC) strategies that use speed for acompetitive advantage. Essentially, QRM stems from a singleprinciple--to reduce lead times. But here's the key difference thatsuccessfully sets QRM apart from other time-based programs: QuickResponse Manufacturing is an approach for the entireorganization--from the shop floor to the office, from reorganizingproduction to new product introduction, from accounting to performancemeasures, from purchasing to sales. In order to compete on speed, youmust change the management mind-set and reduce lead times throughoutthe organization.

And for those of you who have invested in lean manufacturing programs,QRM does not require that you scrap these programs. Instead, QuickResponse Manufacturing builds upon the ideas of kaizen, TQM, TPM,and others, making it an expansion of your company's quest forcompetitive strategies. So discover the power of speed. Quick ResponseManufacturing is a broad and powerful corporate strategy that holdstremendous benefits for your entire organization.

Here's what You Get:

15 specific steps to implement a successful QRM program.

Case studies of seven companies--including John Deer, Horicon Works, and Ingersoll--that successfully use QRM. Hundreds of tools and examples to show you why QRM succeeds. 120 tables and figures to illustrate QRM. Formulas to measure lead times. Two quick fixes to adjust your existing accounting systems to enable QRM efforts. Discussion on cells, teams, and the need for employee empowerment. Now you can discover what other top companies already know: Quick Response Manufacturing is a truly tested way of implementing and achieving a powerful competitive strategy based on speed. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Maybe one of the best books about Operations Management
A breakthrough new way of thinking!

Meanwhile JIT/Lean can not be implemented for highly variable product offer and variable demand larger than +/- 20% (when smoothing your p-schedule is not feasible anymore), the author describes a new path that can be followed (push-pull). The new 21st century's main objective is to compete - on speed. Reducing the lead times does not stop in manufacturing and the author gives a comprehensible overview how to proceed - including as well the softfactors making things work or fail.

Meanwhile JIT/Lean and the kanban-philosophy aims to reduce waste and the outcome is reduction in lead times and WIP (and improvment of quality), the QRM way targets the reduction of lead time. Many thinking from JIT/Lean can be used as well for QRM as cell manufacturing for flow, lotsize reduction/ setup (SMED) and preventive maintenance (machine availability) etc. Considering JIT/Lean systems are pull-systems, QRM-principles provide a robust framework as well for production systems where the variability of the product scope is broader and the customization is higher. Applying these tecniques will not only reduce your lead-times and increase your quality and service level, but as well simplify and improve your production system (sales and operations planning) and therefore finally improve your service level for deliveries. Reducing WIP goes hand-in-hand with the reduction of lead-times and a therefore a reduction of the binding capital (inventories/ WACC). Rajan Suri will even provide in his books the pitfalls of traditional management accounting and gives you strong arguments how to sell a company wide project to apply this new thinking.

This book is written for beginners as well as for experts in manufacturing and for further insights, the book Factory Physics (Hopp/Spearman) is strongly recomended. Reading and applying Japanese
tecniques as SMED, TPM and ZQC etc, were very useful to me to understand what tools do exist and can be used for QRM as well. Excellent software-packages for QRM are available, but I do strongly recommend to understand the fundamental and basic equations of QRM about manufacturing interactions, before applying this new tecniques (queuing theory etc.) - this will help you to analyse what improvements and where have to be targeted.

Meanwhile SCM-books do not provide the tools to improve operations in many companies, QRM provides you the required knowledge how to trim every single chain element in the supply chain and even provides a simple way to measure the performance of your suppliers (quality, cost and especially the delivery performance). This is the way to go for many companies, whether small or large scale - wherever JIT/Lean can not be applied or the company's culture might not be capable of adopting the Japanese way!

Best for Job-Shop Manufacturers
This book was great! I couldn't put it down. The author is able to pull together the best of Lean, Kanban, JIT etc... and apply them in a methodology that truly works for a diverse manufacturing plant. We make hundreds if not thousands of different products, some only once and some are repeats but always in small batches. It was really great to read a manufacturing book that will help a plant like ours. Some really great stuff in this book!

Focuses on today's manufacturing climate
As a former manager of strategic planning, now returned to the manufacturing side, I consider this book to be one of the most important I have read over the past several years.What I am seeing in manufacturing is that the cookie cutter products, high tech or not, are moving to either Asia or Mexico.The remaining products are being sold to customers who require a high level of customization on a very short lead time.The author has developed a system to accomplish this.He focuses not just on the nuts and bolts of the shop floor, but also on streamlining the support systems needed to achieve this level of service.If you are in high level manufacturing or corporate management, you need to read this book.If you are at a lower level, you will still be exposed to many ideas which you can incorporate into improving your service, to both internal and external customers, and reducing your lead times.I think it ranks right up there with The Goal as one of the most important business books written in the era of modern manufacturing.

Good manufacturing strategy book
QRM is a manufacturing strategy that focuses on speed throughout the manufacturing process. All efforts are focused on lead-time reduction. Unlike other lean manufacturing clones, QRM distinguishes itself with some unique approaches. While I'm not willing to accept everything the author is pushing, I certainly found some valuable insights.
The author does an excellent job of explaining the concepts, providing enough detail and examples to ensure the reader does not go away confused.
I thought this was a really good book and would recommend it to anyone involved in manufacturing, but even more so to anyone involved with engineer-to-order or make-to-order manufacturing.

Complete Book for Improving Manufacturing
It was hard to put this book down when I first read it.As a manufacturing manager, it almost seemed as if Prof. Suri had spent time in my plant.Most of the topics he addresses in QRM are relevant to the issues I was struggling with.He writes about reducing lead time in all aspects of operations, even product development.His concept of POLCA to create a pull system for low volume, high mix manufacturing is innovative.

I recommend this highly to anyone who is trying to understand a manufacturing operation and how to improve it.It is easy to read and understand with concepts that work. ... Read more

Product Description
Manufacturing systems don't exist in a vacuum, isolated from the rest of the company, but they are often managed that way. A truly effective, highly competitive manufacturing company integrates its manufacturing, marketing, sales, purchasing, and financial functions into a well-coordinated whole. Manufacturing at Warp Speed: Optimizing Supply Chain Financial Performance explains in detail how to coordinate all these functions to maximize sales revenue while controlling inventory and overhead costs. Ultimately, the effects of applying the new Simplified-Drum-Buffer-Rope (DBR II) introduced by the authors include dramatically faster manufacturing cycle times, shorter order-to-delivery lead times, higher on-time delivery reliability, and better customer satisfaction.The book gives you everything a typical production professional needs to implement this new DBR approach. A supplemental feature - the Management Interactive Case Study Simulator (MICSS) - is included with the book. This CD-ROM sets up a virtual company where you can test and practice the processes you learn in the book before implementing them in your organization. The book and software together constitute the complete package for learning how to streamline manufacturing operations. The first book available on second generation Drum-Buffer-Rope, Manufacturing at Warp Speed: Optimizing Supply Chain Financial Performance describes the simplest, most efficient methods for reducing manufacturing cycle time and increasing the speed of manufacturing yet devised. Fully illustrated, with numerous examples, case studies, and manufacturing scenarios, the book is so easy to read that even the novice can understand it. Correct use of this new method practically assures your company has the competitive advantage. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Helpful, but no real-life examples.
Simplified DBR, presented in this book, is suprisingly common-sense idea which I'm going to implement soon in company I work for at the moment. Will it work?

That is what I missed the most in this book - no real-life examples from real-life companies. Another cons' is... simulator which seems to be a substitute of examples of implementations. Furthermore mixing text with explanation of simulator game makes you to skip, but at the same time you don't want to miss anything important. Iritating!

Advanced TOC
If you want to truly dig into TOC and gain an advanced understanding, this it.Worth its weight in gold.

Excellent
A terrific for book for those wanting to bridge the gap between reading "The Goal" and putting it into everyday practice.The authors explain the fundamentals of Theory of Constraints and drum-buffer-rope scheduling, and present seductive logic for a new simplified drum-buffer-rope called S-DBR.

Through the use of diagrams called clouds, most people will immediately recognise a host of the day-to-day production problems that they face and the solutions for their removal.There is an important discussion of V, A, and T plant configurations that will help managers to better understand their own plants.The financial, tactical, and strategic implications of TOC are also investigated.Integral to the text is CD-ROM simulation that allows you to run various plants for a significant period of time in order to experience the undesirable effects and their solutions first-hand.

People who are serious about rapidly improving the bottom line performance of their organisations should read this book.

Must Read
The authors have shown us how the the Theory of Constraints canimprove your business quickly and effectively. They clearly explain how it operates within existing legacy systems or can be used as the basis for a much improved brand new solution. If you are looking for the definitive reference source that answers those questions you have about TOC in a supply chain solution, then look no longer. "Manufacturing at Warp Speed" is a must read for those investigating leading edge solutions and for the seasoned TOC experts.

Missed the point
Sorry guys.....but this is a very POORLY written book.It has a tendency to bounce all over the place and leaves the reader wondering what point are they trying to make?It also discusses neanderthal technology.Haven't these guys heard of the "Three Step Method", or "Control Point Theory".I think if I were wanting information about how to "Manufacture at Warp Speed" I would think they should at least know how to get to warp speed.This books doesn't have the answers.......it missed the point. ... Read more

Product Description
This revised text on manufacturing management offers managers a concrete, systematic approach for integrating their manufacturing efforts into the overall corporate strategy. This edition takes into account new information on manufacturing operations, diversification, and productivity; new technological developments such as robotics and automated process control; and the "new breed" of manufacturing executive. Skinner's "top down" approach is further explain here, with discussion of its use in actual practice. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

this review provides a synthesis of the dust cover introduction.
Wickham Skinner of the Harvard Business School is considered by many the prime initiator of the back-to-manufacturing movement.In this book Skinner refines and enlarges upon his original thesis.He begins with the basics of manufacturing strategy (that he first defined in his book "Manufacturing in the Corporate Strategy.")Then, the bulk of this book is devoted to new materials which focus on how these concepts create competitive advantage.Skinner deals with various specifics, such as harnessing CAD/CAM and robotics.He further tackles issues such as cheap foreign labor and Japanese competition, and forcefully presents the case for American manufacturing, making it clear what is required for US manufacturing to regain lost competitive strength.Wickham Skinner's writing is most innovative and forward-thinking. ... Read more

Product Description
Our goal for the 4th edition Apparel Manufacturing: Sewn Product Analysis remains the same as it was for the first edition: to provide a broad conceptual and somewhat theoretical perspective of apparel manufacturing that will serve as a foundation for future apparel professionals. We have consulted professionals, industry trade associations, visited factories in national and international locations, and participated in numerous apparel related conferences and workshops to supplement academic research and personal observations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Yeah! A book that teaches!
If you can only afford one book for your budding fashion career it should be this one. It covers so much it's imperative to your fashion library.

Ultra Informative
This was the required textbook for my Apparel Manufacturing class. My teacher ran her own manufacturing company several years ago and told our class that no book she has read even came close to providing the wealth of knowledge available in this book. Seam finishes are explained in terms necessary to complete spec packs, including seam diagrams and stitch numbers used as standards in the industry world-wide. If you plan on putting a technical section in your portfolio or plan to work in the manufacturing side of the industry or plan on being a pattern maker, I recommend this book more than any other. It is rare that I enjoy a textbook so much, but I have read it through and referenced it constantly since the class. Worth every penny. ... Read more