Why aren't more U.S. companies implementing Lean?

[Vulcan]

I was an industrial engineering major and one of the main concentrations of my curriculum was Lean. I always wondered why more companies, especially those in the manufacturing industry are not using Lean to cut down on waste and increase productivity and ultimately profits.

Toyota showed that lean works despite regional and geographical differences when the opened a plant in California using U.S. workers and suppliers.

So what gives? Lean could save the dwindling U.S. manufacturing industry.

[mamabear]

Maybe this is not the right time to practice Lean in the US, with rise of unemployment last year. As the economy recovers, it could be done simultaneously.

[emma]

I don't know much about this, but I'm curious-- what is Lean? It sounds like it could be interesting and very helpful. It would be really great to cut down on industrial waste.