New Book Aids Kanban Implementation

Few lean manufacturing tools have been as misunderstood as kanban. Kanban pull is a visual replenishment signaling system that effectively "connects" the supplying and consuming processes existing throughout the entire value stream. It is effective because it is based on real-time, actual consumption, not hypothetical production forecasting.
Mixed Model Kanban System‑The Lean Replenishment Technique for Pull Production by James C. Vatalaro and Robert E. Taylor (Productivity Press, 2005, $45.00) provides a step-by-step guide to the entire kanban implementation process. The book illustrates the kanban implementation process through a case study of a fictitious golf club manufacturer. A CD-ROM that comes with the text contains the spreadsheets and forms discussed in the text.