Kaizen process improves efficiency
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Shearline Precision Engineering product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Jan 21, 2004
Cambridgeshire-based Shearline Precision Engineering has adopted the Kaizen process and found that it can save at least 25% off its changeover times.
Cambridgeshire-based Shearline Precision Engineering has adopted the Kaizen process and found that it can save at least 25% off its changeover times.
Kaizen, meaning continual improvement, is a Japanese process by which every act in the manufacturing process is assessed and measured for its efficiency in terms of time and labour.
Although it has been around for a long time, the Kaizen Institute in the UK admits that relatively small numbers of UK companies have adopted it.
Following attendance at one of the Institute's workshops, Shearline based in Ely, Cambridge, designed a programme to reduce the preparation time of setting up tools and machinery between jobs, a process borrowed from early Japanese work in press shops.
Each stage is measured and worked through methodically with the objective of shortening each subsequent stage either by eliminating an unwanted element or combining a certain practice with something else.
The reduced lead times are clearly being seen by Shearline's customers with high quality components manufactured and delivered to the tightest of deadlines and with the utmost efficiency.
Shearline's team has evolved the programme to further benefit the company's efficiency.
Robert Halpin, Business Development Manager commented: "Adopting the Kaizen process has had excellent results, it took some time and preparation to get the new practices in place but it has certainly paid off".
"The secret to the success of the Kaizen process was understanding and commitment from all staff".
"They took it on board that if we improved our performance it could help bring more business through the door in the long-term".
Phil Vaughan of the Kaizen Institute commented: "Shearline is a great example of a company that has committed to a long term improvement strategy"."It has understood the needs of the business and has aggressively targeted areas of improvement that will benefit today, whilst ensuring it has a longer term view on the needs of its customers tomorrow".
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