A firm adopts 5S and finds 20 % more floor space. Which waste category is primarily attacked?

Transport waste refers to unnecessary movement of materials and products within the production process. While 5S can indirectly improve transport efficiency by organizing the workspace, the primary focus is on reducing the unnecessary motions of workers rather than the movement of goods.

Waiting waste occurs when employees or machines are idle, awaiting the next step in the process. While 5S can contribute to reducing waiting times by streamlining operations and ensuring that everything is in its place, the main focus of 5S adoption is to eliminate unnecessary motions, making motion waste the more directly impacted category.

Over-production waste involves producing more than is needed or producing too early, leading to excess inventory. While improving workspace organization through 5S can help manage inventory better, the reduction of motion waste directly correlates to the increased usable floor space.