The Future of Factory Setup in Offsite Construction
Interview with Sneha Kumari
Published by Audree Grubesic on Aug 6, 2024. The article is part of the Offsite Dirt and “Leanify Construction Series” conversation about factory setup and offsite construction.
Who Sneha Kumari Is
- She has 10 years of experience focused on lean principles and lean methodologies.
- She is Six Sigma certified.
- She has experience in end-to-end supply chain implementations and process improvements for manufacturing industries.
- Her work led her into prefabrication manufacturing and modular construction.
- She volunteers with the Circular Supply Chain Network.
- She blogs about supply chains and sustainable economy.
- She was named one of SourceDay’s top 40 women to follow in ERP.
- McKinsey recognized her as one of the top 40 women in operations.
Future Factory Setup Principles
Sneha describes future factory setup as a process that uses guiding principles to sequence improvement actions toward an ideal factory state. The goal is to optimize space, equipment, and processes around a long-term strategic objective.
- Value stream consolidation and linkage.
- One-piece flow between stations.
- Space optimization.
- Flow optimization.
- Visual management.
- Co-locating support functions near assembly areas.
The Art of Visual Management
Sneha says visual management is fundamental to lean practices. It means organizing tools and workspaces so everything is visible and accessible. She identifies 5S as essential: Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain.
The article says these principles support one-piece flow and help create a better flow of materials and information.
Factory Size and Lean Outcomes
| Fact |
Detail |
| Small facility example |
10,000 square feet |
| Large facility example |
250,000 square feet |
| Operational focus |
Lean principles apply at any size |
Business Impact
- Lean factory design can make growth more visible.
- Growth should come with minimized costs.
- Lower costs can support higher profit margins.
- Value stream mapping from procurement to delivery helps identify waste.
- Removing waste can unlock productivity and reduce costs.
- Expert guidance helps manage change and build a culture of continuous improvement.
Contact Information
Sneha Kumari’s LinkedIn profile is listed in the article: https://www.linkedin.com/in/snehakumari/