A Model for the Implementation of Lean Manufacturing in Textile SMEs in the Department of Cundinamarca

Abstract

This work presents an adaptation of Lean Manufacturing for the improvement of production systems in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the textile sector of the Cundinamarca department in Colombia. The construction of the model was based on the characterization of the production systems of 31 textile companies in the department, from a Lean perspective. The proposed model is tailored to the specific characteristics of these production systems in SMEs, which face difficulties in applying the Lean philosophy due to lack of knowledge, personnel, and economic limitations for implementation. The model involves the study of the tools of the Toyota Production System, as well as some innovations of these tools that have been presented in recent years, leading up to the concept of Lean. The main conclusion is that the proposed model has been methodologically structured to improve the production systems of textile SMEs in the department, generating positive impact for the sector.