In emerging economies labour-intensive small and medium-sized enterprises, such as Leather, Textile and Garment, utilize skilled workforce with low technology awareness. To stay ahead of open competition, Leather Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (LSMEs) resorted to manufacturing strategies that were popular in other sectors. This paper discusses the pathway by which leather goods manufacturers had implemented our novel lean manufacturing (LM) strategy. The effectiveness of this strategy is described using the case method in two different genres of leather manufacturers. Two types of analyses, viz., within and across the cases were conducted using simulation and analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Analysis of the cases led to the identification of factors such as top management commitment, appropriate tools and technical usage of performance measures, the mindset of managers, sufficient training, importance of layout and formation of coordinating team that are important for designing the framework. The Rehabilitation Bioengineering Group Manufacturing Strategy for Niche Manufacturing (RBGMN)has been designed with Value Stream Mapping (VSM)and Statistical Process Control (SPC) to provide sufficient training for coordinating team with small incremental learning on what-to-do with how-to-do that can help top management to reduce the redundant use of time, energy and money while implementing a manufacturing strategy at the shop floor level for niche enterprise.
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