How does lean manufacturing reduce waste?

Lean manufacturing identifies and eliminates seven types of waste: overproduction, waiting, transportation, over-processing, inventory, motion, and defects. Through tools like Value Stream Mapping, 5S, and Kaizen, manufacturers can spot inefficiencies and apply countermeasures. For example, organizing workstations using 5S can reduce motion waste, while implementing Kanban systems helps manage inventory levels. The result is a streamlined workflow with minimal downtime, reduced material use, and lower operational costs. By continuously targeting waste, lean enables manufacturers to optimize resources and deliver value more efficiently.