lean manufacturing
nounUK /liːn ˌmæn.jʊˈfæk.tʃər.ɪŋ/
US /liːn ˌmæn.jəˈfæk.tʃɚ.ɪŋ/
A way of making things that uses as little waste and as few resources as possible.
The toy factory switched to lean manufacturing, so it now makes more toys with less wasted plastic.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A business strategy that focuses on cutting waste while keeping quality high.
Managers studied lean manufacturing to cut costs without lowering quality.
3. A production method that makes only what customers need, when they need it.
With lean manufacturing, the plant builds cars only after orders come in.
4. An approach to work that keeps improving small steps to remove waste.
The team used lean manufacturing ideas to rearrange the workshop floor.