{"id":26978,"date":"2021-08-09T09:50:16","date_gmt":"2021-08-09T13:50:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.flexpipeinc.com\/?p=26978"},"modified":"2025-10-09T15:37:17","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T19:37:17","slug":"how-continuous-flow-helps-reduce-waste","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.flexpipeinc.com\/us_en\/how-continuous-flow-helps-reduce-waste\/","title":{"rendered":"How continuous flow helps reduce waste"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continuous flow is one of the five principles of lean management, which aims to eliminate <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/kanbanize.com\/fr\/lean-ressources\/debuter-avec\/quest-ce-que-le-lean-management\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">waste<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in production lines. By eliminating wasted time, it helps employees work more efficiently on a daily basis.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Engineer David Nobert is an expert on this subject. As a long-time Service Manager in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.createch.ca\/fr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Createch<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019s <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Operational Performance Improvement team, he has supported companies wishing to optimize their operational processes. In this video, he introduces you to the concept.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/vregisflexpipe.github.io\/video\/flux-continu\/en\/\" width=\"100%\" height=\"910\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is continuous flow?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continuous flow is the process of creating an uninterrupted sequence of activities in the production line, which helps reduce downtime and waiting, which are both major sources of waste.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-27062\" src=\"https:\/\/www.flexpipeinc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/continuousgif.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"814\" height=\"538\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Essentially, this principle aims to set up manufacturing cells comprised of machines or workstations that produce <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wevalgo.com\/fr\/savoir-faire\/gestion-lean\/methodes-outils-lean\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">e part at a time<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/kostango.com\/definition\/fabrication-cellulaire\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">step<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by step.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To be effective, continuous flow must take each of the three types of flow into consideration:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1\u2013\u00a0The flow of materials<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2\u2013\u00a0The flow of information<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3\u2013\u00a0The flow of human resources<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Interruptions or slowdowns in any of these flows, such as an employee having to wait unnecessarily for parts, can hinder the entire production line.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Take a look at this video in which Paul Akers explains to us what is flow, what it does when it is not continuous and give us some tricks on give us some tricks on how to find solutions to bottlenecks.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/\/zBWgYn6GLl0\" width=\"814\" height=\"538\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to improve performance with continuous flow<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continuous flow has several <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.velaction.com\/continuous-flow\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">advantages<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. By eliminating downtime, it enables you to get goods to customers faster. This reduces your warehousing costs because you\u2019ll require less space to store your products.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition, you can detect defects in the produced parts in advance. In fact, your employees can practically spot problems at the source before they become too significant and affect the entire <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lean-manufacturing-junction.com\/2020\/01\/continuous-flow-is-key-to-lean-manufacturing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">production<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> line<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which improves your overall <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.leanmasters.com\/5-phase-lean-implementation-approach\/continuous-flow\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">productivity<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and lowers your production costs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continuous flow is also known to increase <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/publications.polymtl.ca\/1518\/1\/2014_MyriamMoknine.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">versatility<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of your resources. As they will be capable of performing a large number of different tasks, they can deal with incidents more effectively.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to ensure continuous flow is efficient<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">overhandling <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are the enemies of continuous flow, you must eliminate them from your process at all costs. Ideally, materials should circulate properly in your factory in order to prevent workstation supply delays.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When designing the continuous flow, also take employee feedback into account. Your employees are in the best position to put the theoretical principles of lean management into practice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When designing work cells, give preference to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/openclassrooms.com\/fr\/courses\/5382991-pilotez-lamelioration-continue-dans-lindustrie-du-futur\/5714251-decouvrez-le-flux-continu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U-cells<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In addition to facilitating the supply of parts, this configuration provides notable <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.economie.gouv.qc.ca\/bibliotheques\/outils\/gestion-dune-entreprise\/production\/amenagement-dune-usine\/#c52883\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">space-saving<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and improves communication\u00a0 and teamwork between workers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For a noticeable improvement in productivity, also make sure that your resources have all of their tools at their fingertips, and not stored away in drawers or chests.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lastly, do not hesitate to assign an experienced employee or a team leader to each work unit. They will help their colleagues develop new skills, while giving them the desired pace of production.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"hs-cta-embed hs-cta-simple-placeholder hs-cta-embed-194885758787\"\n  style=\"max-width:100%; max-height:100%; width:1000px;height:379.25px\" data-hubspot-wrapper-cta-id=\"194885758787\"><br \/>\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com\/web-interactives\/public\/v1\/track\/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJ1f%2BEdg3wYc%2BOKduu%2Bd7OT1VUMwAzR8A43lBBbf5XY9qiv3fGpMFNfpHUpJrIgAehJLEm%2BU8zZ6frb06wgvN9zv5j9d1YyMUxQ0WKZdEYVDSNBiz7NjXl1kn6K5wTMpfC%2Fgn%2B%2FsNsb3jWDnyeg09CnY1lKFxyBD7DK0Nb2b6ai12ow%2Bd7Oh9WntAHdsN%2BmyAWvvHknDAGmd6SBLUxVreBWab1999IvPeLaEQ%3D%3D&#038;webInteractiveContentId=194885758787&#038;portalId=2641120\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><br \/>\n    <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Build Your Own Moonshine Shop from Scratch This checklist includes everything you need to set up a lean, efficient Moonshine Shop&mdash;tools, parts, and components all in one place to kickstart your project. &nbsp;\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/no-cache.hubspot.com\/cta\/default\/2641120\/interactive-194885758787.png\" style=\"height: 100%; width: 100%; object-fit: fill\"\n      onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" \/><br \/>\n  <\/a>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lean principles<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continuous flow will obviously help you reduce your waste. However, to completely eliminate the non-value-added activities of your production processes, you\u2019ll need to apply each of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/kanbanize.com\/fr\/lean-ressources\/debuter-avec\/principes-du-lean-management\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">five fundamental principles of lean<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Define the value.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Map the value stream.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Create and maintain a continuous flow.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Establish pull (which means that the production of the product or service is triggered by a customer need).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seek perfection by constantly improving.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lean is much more than a work methodology. It will generate a real change of mindset within your facilities. You\u2019ll evolve from an individualistic culture to a collaborative culture for the greater good of your organization!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-27065\" src=\"https:\/\/www.flexpipeinc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/animation_gif.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"814\" height=\"538\" \/><\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 25px; background: #E7E6E1;\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<h3 style=\"text-decoration: uppercase;\">About our Lean expert &#8211; <span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">David Nobert<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.flexpipeinc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/david-norbert.jpg\" \/><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>David\u00a0Nobert is Manager of Services on Createch&#8217;s Operational Performance Improvement Team. With more than 15 years of professional experience, he specializes in continuous improvement and lean manufacturing, among other things. He holds a Master&#8217;s degree in Industrial Engineering with a thesis from Universit\u00e9 du Qu\u00e9bec \u00e0 Trois-Rivi\u00e8res and a Bachelor&#8217;s degree in Industrial Engineering from Universit\u00e9 du Qu\u00e9bec \u00e0 Trois-Rivi\u00e8res.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>____________________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n<h2><strong>WHAT CAN FLEXPIPE DO TO OPTIMIZE YOUR PLANT EFFICIENCY?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flexpipeinc.com\/us_en\/structure\/rack\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Flexpipe Modular industrial pipe racking system<\/a>\u00a0can help you with implementing\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flexpipeinc.com\/ca_en\/9-tips-for-a-lean-and-secure-plant-after-the-covid-19-imposed-shutdown\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">continuous improvement principles<\/a>. Your team\u2019s creativity can result in a 10% increase in productivity per year. It has been a proven system for more than 50 years now.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Continuous flow is one of the five principles of lean management, which aims to eliminate waste in production lines. By eliminating wasted time, it helps employees work more efficiently on a daily basis. Engineer David Nobert is an expert on this subject. As a long-time Service Manager in Createch\u2019s Operational Performance Improvement team, he has &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flexpipeinc.com\/us_en\/how-continuous-flow-helps-reduce-waste\/\">Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":27072,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_eb_attr":"","content-type":"","inline_featured_image":false,"sfsi_plus_gutenberg_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_show_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_type":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_alignemt":"","sfsi_plus_gutenburg_max_per_row":"","_eb_data_table":"","cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","yasr_overall_rating":5,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[325],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26978","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lean-manufacturing"],"acf":[],"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":false,"span_bottom":false},"number_of_votes":0,"sum_votes":0},"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.flexpipeinc.com\/us_en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26978","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.flexpipeinc.com\/us_en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.flexpipeinc.com\/us_en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.flexpipeinc.com\/us_en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.flexpipeinc.com\/us_en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26978"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.flexpipeinc.com\/us_en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26978\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.flexpipeinc.com\/us_en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27072"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.flexpipeinc.com\/us_en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26978"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.flexpipeinc.com\/us_en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26978"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.flexpipeinc.com\/us_en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26978"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}