What was Ohno's demand regarding setup changes in manufacturing?

Ohno's emphasis on reducing setup times in manufacturing was a critical factor in the development of Lean manufacturing principles, specifically at Toyota. The goal was to minimize the time taken to switch from one product to another, thereby allowing for more flexible and efficient production processes.

The demand to reduce setup times from 1.5 hours to 3 minutes highlights a significant transformational shift aimed at achieving greater efficiency and responsiveness to customer demand. Such a drastic reduction enables companies to produce smaller batches of products without incurring excessive downtime, thus reducing inventory levels and improving cash flow. By facilitating quicker transitions between production setups, organizations can better respond to changes in consumer preferences and market conditions.

The rationale behind this target aligns with the Lean principles of reducing waste and increasing value by optimizing every component of the production process. In achieving such a reduction, companies not only enhance their operational efficiency but also their competitive edge in the market.