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How Small Manufacturers & Logistics Teams Can Automate Smartly With Lean Thinking
July 8, 2025 at 5:00 PM
by Cilean Ops
Create a high-quality illustration featuring a single subject: a well-designed, modern brainstorming board in a minimalist workspace. The brainstorming board should be filled with colorful sticky notes in various shapes, each representing different ideas and processes. Use a variety of colors, including vibrant hues like blue, green, yellow, and pink to convey creativity and diverse thinking. 

The background should consist of a clean, simple office setting with a light-colored wall and a sleek desk. On the

In small manufacturing and logistics, automation promises huge gains. But rushing to automate everything often backfires — creating more headaches and wasted spend.

The key? Automate only where it truly adds value — after simplifying and eliminating waste.

My Lean consulting approach helps teams:

🔹 Simplify workflows first by mapping out real-world steps and pain points.

🔹 Eliminate redundant tools, manual tasks, and unnecessary approvals that slow you down.

🔹 Automate selectively — focusing on repetitive, high-impact tasks that free up time and reduce errors.

Most SMBs already have tools like Excel, Power BI, or ERP features that can handle smart automation without new investments.

For example, a 30-person logistics client had 12 overlapping tools. We cut that to 3, built a Power BI dashboard, and automated weekly reports — saving 40+ hours monthly. No new software needed, just targeted automation where it mattered.

The takeaway?
Automation is powerful — but only if your processes are lean first. I help you find the right spots to automate for maximum impact.