[.ca] Lean Manufacturing for the Small Shop (ISBN 0872635201)

Update on Previous Review:
Since posting my previous review, the author personally mailed me a CDR with copies of all of the files noted in the book. He gets a 5 star review for the content of both the book and the CD and his personal effort to provide copies of his files. His powerpoint files were particularly useful. However, the 1 star rating remains for the SME - despite their promises, they never provided either a replacement CD or access to their PDF files on the CD that were included on the CD. In addition, their arrogance and poor implementation of a digital rights management system with poor usability and appearant compatibility problems was extremely disappointing and in poor judgement.

Richard George is Wrong!:
I wish to dispute Richard George's recent post. I purchased Lean Manufacturing for the Small Shop several months ago and have had no problem viewing the files on the CD. I'm extremely happy with my purchase and have since found out that this book is a 2001 winner of the Shingo prize for Excellence in Manufacturing. Additionally, I'm a long-time SME member and have never had any bad experiences in purchasing their products. I take offense at the blanket accusations hypothesized within Richard George's post.

Jerome Cook is Wrong!:
First, let me say that Connor's book and files are great. My only complaint is with SME and their "user-hostle" CDR. For Jerome Cook to say that someone else didn't have problems, because HE didn't have problems is rediculous. When I loaded the CD, I was presented with an Adobe Reader 4.0 installation screen. Since I already had Adobe Reader 5.1 on my machine, and since I knew that loading an older program over a newer program can cause all sorts of agravation, I refused to accept the install. It then kicked me out. The next step was uninstalling Reader 5.1, loading the CD, and accepting the Adobe 4.0 software. At last I could access the files and all the SME promotional material, but only thru Adobe's Download software (sort of like the boy scout helping the little old lady across the street, when she didn't want to go). A little snooping on the CDR, and I found all the Connor files under "E:\sLMS\sLMSS\sExample". Now, I could download them to my hard drive, and use them as the author intended. Last, I went to Adobe, and downloaded the new Reader 6.0. Should I send SME a bill for the 1/2 hour I wasted getting around their "helpful" system? Get the book, you won't be sorry!

Helps You Plan and Manage the Work in a Shop:
I own a machine shop and have worked around the manufacturing business for a number of years. My favorite book is called "World Class Manufacturing". It has similar ideas but is more academic than the present book. The ideas are more practical in the present book and tell you how to organise and plan for expension. The ideas are well presented and involve organizing the shop around processes, production volume, and quality. It does have some good sections on the transition that a shop must make as employees and product volume are increased to go from a job shop to increased production levels, i.e.: the organization for 3 employees versus 15 versus 60 as an example - but I use just approximate numbers here. It tells how to lay out the shop, how to organize production, how to integrate assembly and parts, inventory control and explains how a shop would work with buffer inventory. The book is recommended as a buy if you run or manage a small to medium operation or are thinking of expanding or reorganizing to make the shop more efficient. In any case I would suggest that a quick read is worthwhile. For what it is I would call the book good and rate it in the three or four star range. For the money you cannot go wrong and it might give some new ideas. Jack in Toronto

2002 Shingo Prize Winner !:
From the Author: We are proud to announce that "Lean Manufacturing for the Small Shop" was honored by the Shingo Prize Committee this year (2002). Considered the Nobel Prize for manufacturing, the Shingo prize is named after the famed Japanese Engineer Shigeo Shingo credited for playing a key role in the turnaround of Toyota. We hope that this book honors Mr. Shingo as well as the thousands of Agents of Change for Continuous Improvement who follow his lead.