Banking on Kanban

Frustrated at watching countless manufacturers implement kanban incorrectly or incompletely, then get lackluster results and conclude “kanban doesn’t work,” Russell set out to provide the definitive guide for getting the most out of a company’s investment in kanban.

Many manufacturing, distribution, retail, and healthcare sites that deal with material as an integral part of their business have a goal to reduce inventory by 20% or more. Yet they have no idea how to accomplish that. Some are nervous about the consequences for customer delivery if they randomly reduce on-hand balances, while others are so mired in their “just-in-case” inventory mentality that they simply can’t picture their operation without huge piles of inventory. 

One of the best tools for managing inventory is kanban, a key element of the Lean toolbox or the Toyota Production System. While the concept of kanban is easy to grasp, to master kanban and reap the greatest bottom-line benefit takes an intimate understanding of the math behind the method.
A few highlights of this comprehensive reference …
• In-depth explanation of a kanban replenishment system
• Formulas for even the most complex kanban scenarios
• How to use safety stock to address supply/demand fluctuations 
• How to design, calculate, and monitor an effective kanban system
• Dozens of chapter-end tutorials to ensure full comprehension and successful deployment

Whether you’re a manufacturing manager trying to balance delivery and inventory performance, a university or training firm seeking a definitive resource on the subject, or a Lean or Operations/Manufacturing consultant seeking a go-to reference, Banking on Kanban delivers!

About the Author

Josette Russell is a nationally renowned kanban authority, focused on designing systems that optimize inventory and delivery performance. In 2011—following a 25-year corporate track record of success driving continuous operational improvement—she launched an independent kanban consultancy, serving any company committed to improving their business. She is the author of the industry standard, Banking on Kanban, and the developer of Dynamic Kanban, a cloud-based calculator of kanban solutions. She lives in South Carolina.