Read the Case Study “Lean Implementation and Supply Chain Development at Oak Hills.” Write a report from the project team that answers the following questions.
1. What are the specific quality problems Oak Hills is facing, and how will they influence the company’s ability to convert to a lean system?
2. What changes in the manufacturing environment need to be undertaken in order to convert the current system to a lean system? Think about this from both a short-term and a long-term perspective.
3. How will the implementation of a lean system impact employees, and what can be done to smooth the transition?
4. At what stage in the development of a supply chain is Oak Hills, and what can be done to improve the supply chain?
5. For Oak Hills, what is the connection between demand management and the supply chain?
6. What should Oak Hills do? What problems might occur in implementing your recommendations, and how can these problems be avoided or neutralized? (Answer these questions from a strategic perspective and a tactical perspective.)