Application of Value Stream Mapping for Waste Reduction in Make-to-order Environment (An Action Research in a Commercial Printing Company)

This article discusses the use of Value Stream Mapping (VSM) in a make-to-order production environment. According to this tool، a practical study carried out about the way of implementation of lean manufacturing in a commercial printing company in an action research basis. The aim of using VSM as a drawing tool of current value stream is to investigate the ways of process improvement and reducing waste. In this study، after mapping the current state value stream for making waste measurement، a detailed root-cause analysis was carried out and various improvement proposals has been identified based on the principles of lean manufacturing especially the continuous flow and low level of work in process and final goods inventory. Because of the importance of waste measurement in different phases of lean implementation in commercial printing companies as low volume high mix production environments، a dedicated deficiency measure was developed.