In Strategic Manufacturing, management consultant Patricia E. Moody took an in-depth look at practices that enabled companies to improve their manufacturing operations, increase their bottom line, and effectively compete in the global arena. Now, Moody follows up her acclaimed earlier work with Leading Manufacturing Excellence, an updated, expanded edition targeting the latest developments in leading manufacturing techniques. Laying a firm foundation, Moody begins with a brief historical overview tracing the evolution of manufacturing in the United States. From there, she examines current manufacturing strategies—visual systems, teams, compensation, and Kaizen methods—that will help you position your company as a leader in today's competitive global marketplace. Leading Manufacturing Excellence provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and applying these techniques to your own organization. Featuring expert advice and invaluable recommendations from prominent industry and academic leaders, from Romeyn Everdell, "the father of master scheduling," and Roger Schmenner to Mike Harding and William Holbrook, as well as new material from experts at Honda, Motorola, Nortel, and the Association for Manufacturing Excellence's Kaizen Blitz initiativessm, Leading Manufacturing Excellence offers essential details on: New strategies, tactics, and technologies, including teams, compensation, Kaizen, pull systems, and the search conference method How to translate broad and complex strategy into day-to-day thinking How to integrate business and manufacturing strategy How to reduce lead time, cycle time, and inventory, while improving manufacturing flexibility and customer service Currently required reading for APICS certification candidates, Leading Manufacturing Excellence will be an invaluable resource for all organizations striving to stay one step ahead of the competition. A concise and comprehensive overview of today's key manufacturing trends In Leading Manufacturing Excellence, management consultant Patricia E. Moody takes an in-depth look at the latest developments in manufacturing strategies. An updated and expanded edition of her highly acclaimed book, Strategic Manufacturing, this indispensable reference details new trends—including visual systems, smart purchasing, and Kaizen methods—and provides a comprehensive framework for effectively applying these models to your own organization. Acclaim for Strategic Manufacturing "Strategic Manufacturing will be an important part of the libraries of all manufacturing managers and executives from the most recently appointed to those of us who have enjoyed a long career in manufacturing and are seeking ways to extend that career for a few more years." —Harold E. Edmondson, Vice President, Manufacturing Hewlett-Packard Company