Lean Production Simplified, 3rd Edition

2 ◾ Lean Production Simplified, Third Edition

– General-purpose machines. These were used for cutting, drilling,

and grinding of parts.

◾ Low production volumes and high prices.

Craft production continues to survive in tiny niches, usually for luxury

products. For example, companies including Lamborghini, Ferrari, and

Aston Martin continue to produce small volumes of very expensive automo-

biles for buyers seeking prestige and the opportunity to deal directly with

the factory.

Nostalgists look on craft production as a golden era when craftsmanship

counted and companies gave personal attention to each customer. This is

true, but there were major disadvantages:

◾ Only the rich could afford the product.

◾ Quality was unpredictable; each produ