World Class Manufacturing: The Next Decade - by Richard J Schonberger (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Since the invention of double-entry bookkeeping, managers have judged a company's worth by sales and profits. Now, Richard J. Schonberger, the architect of the worldwide Just-In-Time revolution, reaches beyond "financials" to redefine excellence -- and reveals, with new benchmark data, how pioneers become dynasties.
Schonberger's pathbreaking new research reveals that, from 1950 to 1995, while "financials" dipped and soared repeatedly, industrial decline and ascendancy correlated perfectly with inventory turnover -- one of two key nonfinancial indicators and a bedrock measure, along with customer satisfaction, of a company's power, strength, and value. In this immensely readable book, he captures these new metrics -- the true predictions of future success -- in 16 customer-focused principles created from self-scored reports supplied by over 100 pioneering manufacturers in nine countries. Armed with new world-class benchmark data, Schonberger redefines excellence in terms of competence, capability, and customer-focused, employee-driven, data-based performance.
For front-tine associates to senior executives, Schonberger has written manufacturing's action agenda for the next decade. This book will be indispensable reading for manufacturing and general managers in all industries, as well as for pension fund managers, institutional investors, stock analysts, and stockbrokers.

Review Quotes

Arthur D. Wainwright Chairman and CEO, Wainwright Industries, Inc. A powerful book of trenchant and perceptive observation needed to prosper in the fast-approaching 21st century.

Eric Olsen Worldwide Manufacturing Education Manager, Hewlett Packard Components Group Dick Schonberger's call to "manage the basics, watch the results," plays well in Hewlett Packard's environment where we believe people want to do a good job. Focusing on the right metrics at each level tells them what a good job is.

Kelly Hoffmann Vice-President Pressure Operations, Measurement Division, Rosemount Inc. Dr. Schonberger created a new paradigm for how a factory should operate in "World Class Manufacturing." Now he helps us see the world of manufacturing differently once again, using inventory turnover as the lens.

Robert Anderson Director of Manufacturing Operation, The Wheelabrator Corporation For years now manufacturers have known that there was something wrong with measuring manufacturing strength by profit and sales. Other measurements were needed. Now with an understanding of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd order measurements we have new tools and a better understanding of their relationships.

Robert J. Saldich President and CEO (Retired), Raychem Corporation Richard Schonberger taught us in 1984 about Japanese manufacturing and launched Raychem on its continuing quality journey. Now he takes us into a whole new dimension. The book is stuffed with wonderful insights, ideas and approaches. It is a rare original contribution to the literature.

Ronald D. Schmidt Chairman, President and CEO, Zytec Corporation The principles unveiled in this masterly book will indeed become manufacturing's action agenda in the years ahead.

Soma Coulibaly Operations Quality Assurance Manager, Hallmark Cards, Inc. Once again, Richard Schonberger has defined the new standard for excellence.

About the Author

Richard J. Schonberger, a world-renowned scholar, theoretician, and guru of production and manufacturing, is the author of the best-selling Japanese Manufacturing Techniques: Nine Hidden Lessons in Simplicity and World Class Manufacturing: The Lessons of Simplicity Applied. He is president of Schonberger & Associates, Inc. in Seattle, Washington, where he resides.