Final answer:
The key manufacturing philosophy that emphasizes waste elimination and minimizing inventories to expose problems is Just-in-time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The key manufacturing philosophy that emphasizes waste elimination and minimizing inventories to expose problems is Just-in-time.
Just-in-time (JIT) is a production strategy that aims to produce items exactly when they are needed and in the required quantities. It focuses on reducing waste and maximizing efficiency by eliminating excess inventory and only producing items in response to customer demands. By implementing JIT, manufacturers can achieve high-quality, fast response, and low-cost operations.
For example, instead of keeping a large stock of car parts in a warehouse, a company using JIT would have the required parts delivered daily to the assembly plant. This allows for better quality control and immediate identification of any defective parts, minimizing the risk of shipping faulty products to customers.