Optimization of Production Processes through the Application of Lean Manufacturing Principles - An Analysis of the Case of an Italian Manufacturer of Stainless Steel Carpentry

In the context of today’s industrial landscape, the optimization of production processes is a strategic imperative for companies that want to maintain competitiveness on the global market. In this context, the Lean Manufacturing paradigm emerges as a fundamental management philosophy, aimed at eliminating waste and maximizing customer value. This paper aims to examine the application of the principles of Lean Manufacturing within an Italian manufacturer of stainless-steel carpentry, located in Northern Italy. The analysis was enriched by the direct experience of the author: the pages contained in this document are the result of a project carried out between March and September 2023 at the industrial plant of Canelli, province of Asti, leader in the production of stainless-steel machinery for the bottling and packaging sector. In the first chapter, the fundamental concepts of Lean Manufacturing will be outlined, with particular attention to its pillars and key tools, to provide an essential theoretical framework for the understanding of the subsequent analysis. In the second chapter, the focus will be on the company being studied. Through a detailed analysis of the production plant, the layout, the products and the steel processing phase, a Current Value Stream Map will be elaborated in order to provide an overview of business flows and identify areas for improvement and potential optimization. The third chapter will be the focus of the research, focusing on the analysis of identified business waste. Through an in-depth evaluation of the costs associated with the identified waste, practical and targeted solutions will be proposed to reduce the incidence and maximize the overall efficiency of the production process. Through this in-depth analysis, we aim not only to identify and quantify the waste present within the company, but also to propose concrete and applicable solutions, to make a significant contribution to the continuous improvement and competitiveness of the company in the current industrial context.