Relocate and Label Roof Rack Bins at the Point of Use
Move shared bins next to the work area and label them so parts are found and refilled the same way every time.
- Creator
JCR Lean Ninjas- Company
- JCR Lean Ninjas
- Wastes
Roof rack bins were stored far from the work area, so operators walked a long distance to reach and grab them, and empties had to be carried back across the floor.
The team moved the roof rack bins close to the work area, added a clear 'roof rack bin' label, and coordinated with shipping to return empty bins to the new location.
Store materials at the point of use and label their home so the right thing is obvious to everyone.
What is a Relocate and Label Roof Rack Bins at the Point of Use?
This is a point-of-use storage improvement combined with visual labeling. Instead of leaving shared bins in a distant staging spot, the bins live right where the work happens and carry a name that says exactly what they hold.
The label turns an anonymous bin into a defined home location. Anyone can see where roof rack parts belong, refill them correctly, and return empties to the same place without asking.
By also arranging for shipping to bring empty bins back to the new spot, the improvement closes the loop so the setup stays correct without extra effort from the operators.
Why it works
The value is a shared, self-explaining setup that any operator or the shipping team can use the same way.
- The label makes the correct home location visible to everyone, not just the person who set it up.
- A defined bin location mistake-proofs refills and returns so parts do not end up in the wrong place.
- Coordinating with shipping locks in the standard so the improvement holds over time.
How to create this idea
- 1Find the far-away material
Identify bins or parts stored away from where the work is actually done.
- 2Move it to the point of use
Relocate the bins next to the work area so they are within easy reach.
- 3Label the home location
Add a clear label naming the contents, such as 'roof rack bin', so the spot is unambiguous.
- 4Set up the return loop
Agree with shipping or material handling to deliver refills and pick up empties at the new location.
Best used when
- shared bins stored far away
- repeated part fetching
- fixed work areas
Less useful when
- parts used only rarely
- no space near the bench
- constantly changing layouts
Products and tools mentioned
- storage bins: Containers for holding and organizing parts and supplies.
Tags
- Problem
- excess walkingfar storageunclear location
- Lean methods
- point of usevisual labeling5S
- Application
- assemblymaterial handling
Captured from JCR Lean Ninjas at JCR Lean Ninjas in the video "Chris moves the roof rack mount bins closer to the work.", at 00:00:06. On Lean Toolbox. Watch the original video on YouTube ↗
