--- title: What Lean Really Means description: "“Lean manufacturing can be summarized as more value with less work, saving the customer or the manufacturer money.”" --- [![Helander](https://blog.helandermetal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/new-Helander-Logo.png?width=474&name=new-Helander-Logo.png "Helander")](https://www.helandermetal.com) ![Helander phone](https://blog.helandermetal.com/hubfs/images/phone.png)Call: **630-268-9292** ![Company - Mail](https://blog.helandermetal.com/hs-fs/file-2158700707-jpg/helandermeta/mail.jpg)[sales@helandermetal.com](mailto:sales@helandermetal.com) [![Contact Us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/299658/f20180d1-173d-467e-bb7a-f4f90cf3f589.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/299658/f20180d1-173d-467e-bb7a-f4f90cf3f589)   [![Request Quote](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/299658/cdcb6b45-3ddd-4a44-b868-e95e5b96e2a7.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/299658/cdcb6b45-3ddd-4a44-b868-e95e5b96e2a7) # [What Lean Really Means](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/bid/69466/what-lean-really-means) Posted by [Samuel Ibrahim, Jr.](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/author/samuel-ibrahim-jr) on Mon, Jul 02, 2012 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) You may be hearing a lot lately about Lean Manufacturing. It’s a buzz phrase that many companies love to advertise; “Lean-friendly” and “Lean-optimized” are also popular variations. Lean manufacturing can be summarized as more value with less work, saving the customer or the manufacturer money. Goals include increased quality and decreased time, costs, and waste. While it is a valuable concept, it isn’t always achieved as advertised. While many machinery manufacturers and suppliers are quick to say that they are Lean, based on possessing the latest equipment and/or embracing the philosophy, if they don’t have a staff dedicated to and trained in this concept, with the know-how to program and operate this machinery efficiently, then they aren’t truly Lean. The cost of this latest equipment may end up being more than the savings. Furthermore, certain materials can only be worked on up to certain machining speeds, so no matter how good the equipment, efficiency is limited. What it really comes down to is knowing the most effective ways to operate your business. Updating programming, correctly training and hiring the best technicians, and implementing the smartest methods can and often do prove to be “Leaner” practices than simply buying the latest equipment. At [Helander Spinning Company](http://www.helandermetal.com), we have a tradition of excellence dating back to 1936. We consider ourselves experts in our industry and services, and we are more focused on doing it right than on buzz words. The proof is in our results and reputation, and we are proud to continue this focus on true quality that speaks for itself.                          [![View Our Capabilites](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/299658/699ad73d-ec44-4601-9751-180d42b045c8.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/299658/699ad73d-ec44-4601-9751-180d42b045c8) Tags: [Metal Spinning](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/topic/metal-spinning), [lean manufacturing](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/topic/lean-manufacturing) ### Recent Posts ### Archives - [January 2022 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2022/01) - [December 2021 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2021/12) - [November 2021 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2021/11) - [October 2021 (2)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2021/10) - [October 2020 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2020/10) - [September 2020 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2020/09) - [February 2020 (2)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2020/02) - [January 2020 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2020/01) - [November 2019 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2019/11) - [September 2018 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2018/09) - [May 2018 (2)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2018/05) - [March 2018 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2018/03) - [November 2017 (2)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2017/11) - [August 2017 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2017/08) - [March 2017 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2017/03) - [January 2017 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2017/01) - [May 2016 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2016/05) - [March 2016 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2016/03) - [January 2016 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2016/01) - [November 2015 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2015/11) - [October 2015 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2015/10) - [August 2015 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2015/08) - [July 2015 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2015/07) - [May 2015 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2015/05) - [April 2015 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2015/04) - [March 2015 (2)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2015/03) - [February 2015 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2015/02) - [January 2015 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2015/01) - [December 2014 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2014/12) - [October 2014 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2014/10) - [September 2014 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2014/09) - [July 2014 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2014/07) - [June 2014 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2014/06) - [March 2014 (2)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2014/03) - [January 2014 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2014/01) - [December 2013 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2013/12) - [October 2013 (2)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2013/10) - [September 2013 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2013/09) - [March 2013 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2013/03) - [February 2013 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2013/02) - [December 2012 (2)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2012/12) - [November 2012 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2012/11) - [October 2012 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2012/10) - [September 2012 (2)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2012/09) - [August 2012 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2012/08) - [July 2012 (3)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2012/07) - [June 2012 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2012/06) - [April 2012 (2)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2012/04) - [March 2012 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2012/03) - [February 2012 (1)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2012/02) - [January 2012 (2)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2012/01) - [December 2011 (2)](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/archive/2011/12) [see all](https://blog.helandermetal.com/blog/bid/69466/what-lean-really-means#)