Kanban - briefly explained

Who & When?

In 1947, Taiichi Ohno, the inventor of the Toyota Production System (TPS), invented the Kanban method.

Among other things, the JIT concept (just-in-time production), which is part of the production system, was decisive.

Where does the word KanBan come from?

The letters K and B are pronounced clearly in the syllables. Thus, the Japanese origin is easy to discern and means something like map, board or receipt.

What is it?

At the heart of a Kanban storage system is the translated word card.

This card acts as an order trigger. This fictitious card can have many faces today, such as the scan of a barcode, the push message of an RFID system or much more.

So nothing works without a map, whether digital or physical.

In summary, the Kanban method is based on the pull principle. This means that the productions are supplied with goods according to estimated or concrete demand. Thus, the procurement of materials is organised according to the respective consumption.

What are the species?

Today's Kanban is divided into two meanings: The Kanban board and the Kanban storage system.

In short, a theoretical and a practical form.

A Kanban board is a development method used to support production processes. With the Kanban boards we also find the Kanban cards. These cards are essential information carriers that provide information about production, storage, purchasing and transport.

They include, for example

• Kanban card numbers
• Production Kanban
• Purchasing Kanban
• and much more

At Kanban storage system the consumption of a defined quantity is recorded and passed on as demand. These quantities are calculated in such a way that the remaining stock quantities are sufficient until the new deliveries arrive. Thus, this system not only eliminates a lot of effort, but also offers the best possible security in the supply of goods.

We are mainly concerned with the Kanban storage system.

Here, an optimal procurement and storage of goods is guaranteed in different ways and according to individual requirements.

Our WECO Kanban storage system differs in terms of service in the following areas:

• Full service
• Halfservice
• DIY

Where is it used?

Kanban is mainly used in the manufacturing sector. Especially in so-called series or serial production, this storage system protects against production downtimes, because smooth processes and constant stocking of the required goods protect against delivery bottlenecks and thus against production downtimes.

Kanban can be used wherever constant goods are consumed and needed at regular intervals. The system can be found in everything from the small carpentry workshop next door to the large car manufacturer.