Lean production as a means of ensuring the sustainable development of agricultural enterprises

Abstract

The article considers the theoretical essence of the lean production concept. It has been proved that its essence lies in identifying and reducing costs of processes, and sometimes eliminating business processes that do not create added value but consume large amount of resources. The main constituent elements, tools and principles of lean concept implementation have been outlined. The possibility of implementation of lean logistics in the activity of agricultural enterprises has been considered. It has been defined that combination of lean logistics and “green logistics” is a rational way to increase both economic and ecological efficiency. The VSM tool have been offered for implementation of the lean concept. VSM maps provide a visual representation of step-by-step scenario to achieve the strategic goals of the company, representing material and information flows required to deliver a product to the final consumer. It has been confirmed that the implementation of the lean concept at agricultural enterprises is an element of ensuring their functioning on the basis of sustainable development, a means of increasing environmental and economic efficiency.