Using the production preparation process as an advanced Lean Enterprise Methods tool

In an effort to reduce time to market, cut costs, eliminate late engineering changes, improve product quality and the profit, among others, a Brazilian automobile industry decided implement the production preparation process in a new product process development inside the year of 2007. The Toyota industry worldwide development makes the use of lean manufacturing methodology, being disseminate in the worldwide industry. This work intends to show lean manufacturing and one of the most innovative and advanced Lean Enterprise Methods tool, the pre-production planning, also known as production preparation process or 3P. This paper presents a real study of case, and the final earnings obtained with the production preparation process tool.