In the current era of globalization, industries are adopting new tools and techniques to produce goods to compete and survive in the market. The most daunting issue faced by manufacturers today is how to deliver their products or materials quickly at low cost and good quality. One promising method for addressing this issue is the application of lean manufacturing tools and techniques. This research project examined the extent to which lean manufacturing tools and techniques are implemented by sugar manufacturing companies in Kenya, their impact on factory time efficiency and obstacles faced in the implementation process. The motivation of the study was based on the contribution of the sugar sector in the Kenyan economy. The study was a census survey covering the eight sugar manufacturing companies registered by Kenya Sugar Board and those which have been in operation for more than three years. Data was collected from 150 employees in production, engineering and quality assurance departments of the eight sugar manufacturing companies using a structured questionnaire consisting mainly of closed-ended questions. The data collected was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The research revealed that companies in the sugar sector in Kenya have not given attention to all the key areas of lean manufacturing from a holistic perspective instead a piecemeal approach has been adopted. Conclusions drawn from the research was that the sugar manufacturing companies in Kenya lack understanding of lean manufacturing concepts and have therefore not reaped the full benefits of lean implementation.

show more