Simulation modeling and analysis of value stream mapping for the implementation of lean manufacturing in labour-intensive small and medium-sized enterprises

Abstract

Labour-intensive small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play an important role in stimulating employment and export in developing countries like India. Labour-intensive small and medium-sized enterprises, such as Leather, Textile and Garment, tried to implement the lean manufacturing for improving the competitiveness. The objective of this paper is to implement the lean manufacturing using value stream mapping (VSM) for leather small and medium-sized enterprises (LSMEs). The simulation models were analyzed to understand the current state and future state mapping of VSM. VSM is found to be an appropriate introductory tool for implementation of lean in LSMEs.