Implementation Of LEAN Techniques In Baxter's QC Laboratory

Applying LEAN techniques can result in improved productivity, workflow efficiency and cost savings. The Quality Control Laboratory at Baxter’s contract manufacturing facility in Halle/Westfalen, Germany, has been applying LEAN techniques since 2007 with the goal of reducing release lead times. To achieve this goal, several key steps were undertaken and completed, as outlined throughout this whitepaper.

Operators and other personnel at the facility were trained on the major LEAN tools and how to apply each. Next, a LEAN team was built, consisting of colleagues from the chemical and microbiological areas, to set uniform standards in each lab area. The initial focus of this team was to navigate through the 6S procedure as a first milestone.