LEAN

LEAN thinking perfects production processes

Learn how to optimise your operations and improve efficiency with Lean thinking

Lean is an operating philosophy that focuses on eliminating anything that does not add value. Developed in the Japanese automotive industry, it helps to make production smooth, efficient, and customer-oriented — every item and every step in its right place.

Discover how Lean philosophy and ergonomic workstation design work together to optimise productivity and eliminate waste. The free Treston e-book “LEAN e-Book: Thinking perfects production processes” explores how to create efficient, flexible, and value-adding production environments using Lean principles and Treston’s modular furniture solutions.

LEAN eBook

Download the Free E-book (PDF)

LEAN
What is LEAN Thinking?

Lean is a philosophy and an operating model that focuses on everything that adds value for the customer and eliminates what does not. The goal is to ensure that every activity contributes to value creation and that all processes are streamlined for maximum efficiency.

The foundation of Lean lies in recognising and eliminating waste — whether in materials, motion, or time. For example, moving goods back and forth unnecessarily in production consumes time and resources without adding value.

Lean principles help companies:

  • Optimise the flow of materials and work.
  • Improve quality and efficiency.
  • Create safer, more ergonomic working environments.
  • Continuously develop processes for long-term improvement.
LEAN
Designing Lean Workstations

Efficient workstation design is a core part of a Lean environment. The e-book explains how a well-planned workstation makes work easier, reduces wasted motion, and supports faster production.

  • Items needed most frequently should be placed within easy reach.
  • Tools and materials should be organized logically and at the right height to reduce strain.
  • Workstations should be adjustable, ergonomic, and modular, allowing them to adapt to different tasks or employees.

Treston’s modular workstations and accessories help companies implement these principles in practice. They can be easily adjusted, reconfigured, and expanded as production needs change — all without compromising ergonomics or safety.

LEAN
The 5S of Lean: Foundation for an Efficient Workplace

Understanding the 5S method — and its sixth S, Safety — is central to maintaining efficiency and order in any Lean workspace:

  1. Sort (Seiri) – Remove unnecessary items from the workplace.
  2. Set in Order (Seiton) – Arrange all necessary tools and materials so that they are easy to access.
  3. Shine (Seiso) – Keep the workstation clean and in good condition.
  4. Standardize (Seiketsu) – Create clear standards for processes and layout.
  5. Sustain (Shitsuke) – Maintain discipline to ensure improvements last over time.

+ Safety: Build safety into every process — durable, well-organized workstations reduce hazards.

When applied together, the 5S method increases safety, efficiency, and employee satisfaction — forming the basis of continuous improvement.

Treston’s Ergonomic Solutions to Support Lean Thinking

Treston’s modular, ergonomic solutions support LEAN principles and enable optimized process design and implementation. Workstations, material flow solutions, and accessories are designed for manufacturing environments where process optimization is critical.

1. Adjustable Workbenches and Task Chairs

Treston’s robust, modular workbenches support Lean and 5S principles. Ergonomically designed to adapt to each worker, they reduce strain and increase productivity.

2. Modular Storage Solutions

Clever, adaptable storage systems saves time and money by keeping workspaces tidy and ensuring tools and components are always within reach.

3. Ergonomic Trolleys

Modular and mobile Treston trolleys improve flexibility and material flow between workstations — easy to move, even when fully loaded. 

4. Adjustable Task Lighting

Proper lighting improves accuracy, productivity, and wellbeing. Treston’s smart, energy-efficient LED solutions provide individually adjustable task lighting for optimal visibility and comfort. 

Functional workstations help to standardize workflows and make production more effective and efficient.

Read our blogs about LEAN Thinking

Treston Storage bins blog post header

Organisation increases efficiency; choose durable storage bins for industrial use

In various technical and industrial working environments, according to the lean philosophy, every item must find its own place. One important element in maintaining order is the storage bins, where all important items can easily be found at a glance. In order to increase efficiency, make sure that you minimise the time spent on looking for things and ensure that it is effortless to put even the smallest items back where they belong.

In this article, we will stimulate your thoughts on the choice of storage bins. A little work on organisation can make operations significantly more efficient and can improve ergonomics and safety at work, not to mention the level of comfort and the company brand and image.
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Blog header Was bedeutet Fließfertigung (One-Piece-Flow)?

FAQ: What Does One-piece Flow Manufacturing Mean? Video included.

In the manufacturing industry, companies aim to manufacture products that their customers need, deliver them when they need them, quickly, cost-effectively, and using the smallest amount of resources possible. These companies often want to avoid unnecessary intermediate storage that ties up their capital.

FAQ blog posts will answer the most relevant questions we receive from our customers. In this article we will go through one way to organise the production. We will go through what does one-piece flow mean and how could it make manufacturing process more effective.
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lean and ergonomics webinar blog header

How does an ergonomic workstation support lean manufacturing? Free webinar included

Lean and ergonomics have often been set on opposing sides. It has been assumed that if you take lean production too far, it will lose the human factor, and people will not be able to perform long-term. If we dig a little deeper than that, we find that the practical truth can be something else.
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Master Lean Thinking – Download the ebook and you’ll learn more about:

  • Lean in a nutshell: How to put Lean principles into practice in your production.
  • Smarter workflow: How modular workstation design supports smooth, efficient flow.
  • Productivity through ergonomics: How ergonomic design enhances both performance and safety.
LEAN eBook

Download the Free E-book (PDF)

FAQ's shortly answered 

What is the main goal of Lean?
The main goal of Lean is to add value for the customer by eliminating all forms of waste and optimising processes for efficiency and quality.

What kinds of waste does Lean aim to eliminate?
Lean identifies all activities that do not create customer value as “waste.” Examples include unnecessary movement, waiting, excess inventory, overproduction, and rework. Removing these wastes leads to a smoother, more efficient process.

What are the 5S steps in Lean?
The 5S method (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardise, Sustain) — plus a sixth S, Safety, provides a structured approach to organising and maintaining an efficient, safe, and clean workspace.

How do ergonomic workstations support Lean?
Ergonomic and modular workstations help create organised, efficient, and adaptable work environments — essential for maintaining Lean flow and minimising wasted motion.

Why choose Treston for Lean implementation?
Treston’s adjustable, modular, and durable workstation systems are built to support Lean principles and continuous improvement in industrial environments.

Does Lean support sustainability?
Yes — reusing modular workstation components extends product lifecycles and reduces waste, aligning with sustainability goals.