{"id":29249,"date":"2025-07-04T10:01:18","date_gmt":"2025-07-04T08:01:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.leanthinking.it\/?page_id=29249"},"modified":"2026-04-02T11:01:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T09:01:18","slug":"6-principles-of-lean-thinking-supplier-development","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.leanthinking.it\/en\/cosa-e-il-lean-thinking\/6-principio-del-lean-thinking-lo-sviluppo-fornitori\/","title":{"rendered":"6th Principle of Lean Thinking \u2013 Supplier Development"},"content":{"rendered":"

With Bonfiglioli Consulting, the principles become 6: Supplier Development for an Extended and Lean Supply Chain<\/strong><\/h2>\n

We explored the five core principles of Lean Thinking<\/strong>Define value, map the value stream, make the stream flow, let the customer \u201cpull,\u201d and pursue perfection. However, practical experience and the increasing complexity of the market reveal the crucial importance of a Sixth principle<\/strong>, often defined by those working in the field as an indispensable step for true Lean transformation: the\u2019Extension of Lean Principles to the Supply Chain<\/strong>, which is supplier developmentLean Supply Chain<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Today, the overall costs and delivery timeslead time<\/a>) of a product or service largely depend on activities that take place outside the company's borders. It is increasingly rare for internal costs to account for more than one-third of the total required to bring a product to market. This means that without actively involving suppliers with a Lean perspective, any internal \u201clean\u201d efforts within the company can never reach their full potential, being limited at most to one-third of the necessary way.<\/p>\n

Why Supplier Development is essential for efficiency<\/h3>\n

Many companies try to control their suppliers through suffocating schedules or reduce their margins with aggressive bidding systems. However, these tactics rarely lead to significant improvements in delivery times and supplier costs, simply because suppliers may not have the internal skills or processes to do so efficiently. Over time, cornered, they may seek other opportunities, leading to the loss of valuable partners.<\/p>\n

This is why the sixth principle becomes fundamental: to achieve true efficiency<\/b> overall, it is necessary engage suppliers<\/b> and help them take Lean thinking steps themselves. This involves transforming the supplier-company relationship from one of mere procurement to one of Vera Partnership<\/b>.<\/p>\n

Key Elements of Supplier Development in a Lean Perspective<\/h3>\n

Supplier development in a Lean approach is not an easy task; it requires significant commitment and the ability to interact with complex external realities where decision-making power is shared. However, it is a project that, if well managed, leads to enormous benefits:<\/p>\n