Lean Manufacturing and Value Stream Mapping

01/08/25 • 14 min

Your value stream is the series of steps required to deliver your product or service to your customer, and it's at the heart of creating efficiency and the value promises of Lean Manufacturing. In this episode, Amtech CEO Jay Patel joins us to explore the essential process of Value Stream Mapping (VSM) and explains how it transforms operations by revealing waste and refining workflows. We discuss the importance of aligning every step in production—from raw materials to the final product—with what customers truly value (which requires you to know what your customers truly value!), and why eliminating non-essential activities can dramatically improve productivity and satisfaction.
Jay shares examples of how mapping a process reveals inefficiencies like unnecessary movement between distant workstations or redundant steps in a production sequence and demonstrates how simple changes—like reorganizing workflows or eliminating extra steps—can significantly impact efficiency and free up resources. We also talk about how organizations can balance efficiency with delivering personal, high-value experiences that resonate with customers. If you're rearranging a factory floor or refining a service process in your business, Value Stream Mapping is is a powerful way to continuously improve and stay competitive. Featuring Jay Patel.

Previous Episode

Lean Manufacturing and What Customers Value Most

When you think of Lean Manufacturing, efficiency and waste reduction probably come to mind. But at its core, Lean is focusing on what customers value most, even when they can’t articulate it themselves. In this episode, we continue our discussion on Lean and explore how understanding customer value shapes every decision in the Lean process. Amtech CEO Jay Patel shares insights on why defining value isn’t as simple as it seems and how we have to dig deeper to uncover what customers truly need—sometimes before they even know it themselves. We discuss the tension between efficiency and customer experience with real-world examples that challenge conventional thinking, like why airlines intentionally create “inefficient” processes to enhance perceived value. We also discuss how mapping workflows, adapting to changing needs, and continuously questioning assumptions help your business stay aligned with your customers. Featuring Jay Patel.

Next Episode

Creating Flow in Lean Manufacturing to Save Time, Cut Costs, and Drive Innovation

Most of us have systems or processes in place that worked years ago but haven't kept pace with how we do things today. Or are habits or "just the way it's done around here."
When systems evolve out of habit rather than intention, inefficiencies creep in and slow everything down. This episode explores another core principle of Lean Manufacturing: creating flow. Amtech CEO Jay Patel explains how understanding and optimizing your processes can eliminate friction, streamline operations, and empower your team to work at their best. We talk about how important it is to clear away obstacles, design your systems intentionally, and find the right balance in workloads to keep things moving smoothly and make real progress. Jay shares insights on how flow reduces waste and bottlenecks and opens the door to innovation and, ultimately, a better customer experience. Featuring Jay Patel.