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Pull or Pull Production: What Is It?

“Pull” or Pull Production is a method of production control, where downstream activities signal their needs to upstream activities instead of upstream activities “pushing” work onto the downstream process regardless of capacity.

Using Pull is a great way to avoid over-production, one of the Eight Wastes.  Pull is often implemented using a FIFO Lane or a Supermarket – both being techniques that limit production and signal when product is taken so it can be replenished.  A signal is often triggered using Kanban – a sign or card that shows the items and amount required.

By David McLachlan

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