This document provides a literature review and theoretical background on lean manufacturing concepts as they relate to improving a production line in an aluminum die casting plant. It discusses the history and evolution of lean manufacturing principles. The seven types of waste are defined - overproduction, defects, inventory, transportation, waiting, motion, and overprocessing. Line balancing concepts and related works implementing lean in die casting plants are also reviewed. The aim is to apply these lean concepts and methodologies to analyze the current process and identify improvements at a die casting company.