Kaizen is a team-based approach to analyzing processes, and determining & implementing improvements therein. This is done mainly through the identification and reduction of non-value added activities in the process. Kaizen efforts are centered around a cross-functional team of employees from both the manufacturing, operational and office areas. Where appropriate, customers and/or vendors are asked to participate. This allows input from all impacted areas to be blended into an effective, productive, simplified solution that will cause minimal downstream problems. The creativity that results from this empowering team approach also results in better ideas and execution, as well as more satisfied employees.

Kaizen and other Lean approaches differ from conventional theories regarding productivity improvement by focusing on the reduction or elimination of Non-Value Added time ("NVA"). NVA is the time in any process where nothing of value is being added to the process that a customer (internal/external) wants. By focusing on NVA time, which has been estimated to make up as much as 90% of all process time, Kaizen Teams find ample areas for productivity improvement. This applies equally in manufacturing, operational and administrative arenas.

By utilizing Kaizen principles, Parkland clients have benefited by:
  • Reductions in cycle time of as much as 90%
  • Reductions in inventories of 60% or more
  • Reductions of required floor space of up to 80%
  • Increases in productivity of as much as 100%
  • Increases in on-time deliveries to 100%
  • Increases in sales of as much as 40%