The Kaizen Project
In excess of €400,000 has been secured in grant funding for a maximum of 10 companies to participate in a two year programme implementing Lean Manufacturing concepts and techniques. The title of the programme is The Kaizen Project and funding for all training has come from Skillnets, Accel, etc.
The programme is being launched in June 2006 and will run until 2008. The main theme of this project is to create a steady continuous improvement culture in the participating companies, which in turn will be seen as role models for manufacturing in the 21st Century. Participating companies can expect to benefit from a wide range of training and weekly support from the management group selected for this project.
Kaizen and Continuous Improvement
Kaizen, (kai – zen) - Japanese words that literally translates to good change, which in the west is known as Continuous Improvement. The principle of Kaizen is to empower many people to make relatively small, but good, or positive changes within their own area of expertise. This is in contrast with major changes conducted by third parties, or relatively small numbers of individuals who are often detached from the process. Implementing a culture of Kaizen or Continuous Improvement is a holistic process that requires the commitment and support of management and the active participation of the entire workforce.
Individuals need to understand and be accountable for the key performance metrics attributable to their specific area of the business. These local metrics should be aligned with corporate goals and contribute towards overall organisational success. Typical metrics whilst being process specific, will be defined within the overall banner of Quality, Cost & Delivery.
The next phase of Kaizen implementation is to train staff in Improvement Techniques such that they can make continual positive changes to their own areas of responsibility. A significant part of this process is the empowerment of the work force, enabling them to implement positive change to their process, within established organisational guidelines.
The overall objective is to establish a culture where the business is divided into autonomous areas of excellence with their own metrics and Kaizen improvement programme, all contributing to overall organisational goals and success.
Typical Kaizen tools and improvement techniques will include: Process Measurement & Analysis Visual Management The Deming Wheel of Improvement - Plan, Do, Check, Act Waste Elimination Zero Defects TQC. Total Quality Control TPM. Total Productive Maintenance SMED. Single Minute Exchange of Die Kanban & Just in Time Line/Process Balancing Poka Yoke Team Building & Working Problem Solving Standard Operations
Improvements gained are maintained through the use of Standard Operations. Standard Operations ensures that the method deployed in order to carry out a particular task is consistently carried out in the best, possible way currently available to the individuals with a vested interest in the process. The Kaizen Project is funded by member companies, the European Social Fund and the National Development Plan
Contact First Polymer for more information.
Stephen O’Leary / Siobháin Cunniffe
First Polymer Training
Athlone Business and Technology Park,
Dublin Road, Athlone, Co.Westmeath.
email: info@kaizenproject.com
Tel: 00 353(0) 90 6471223
Fax: 00 353(0) 90 6471221
Mobile: 087 4184321(Stephen O'Leary)
www.kaizenproject.com
www.firstpolymer.com
FPT Courses - The Kaizen Project