Competition is getting tough. Profits are being squeezed, costs are going up and sales are declining. What is needed is to find ways to reduce costs, while increasing quality and becoming more competitive. A good first step is to start using 5S.

5S is a systematic approach to cleaning up and getting organized. That sounds rather simple, and it is. There is a lot more to 5S than cleaning up and getting organized. 5S goes beyond just cleaning up. For example, 5S says that at the end of the day (or shift) that all machines should be cleaned. Not only cleaned, but thoroughly inspected. With a clean machine spotting a fresh oil leak becomes easy, and that allows for preventive maintenance before the machine has more serious problems.

We have created an introductory guide about 5S. It describes 5S, how to implement 5S, and the benefits you can expect from 5S. It gives all the basic information needed to help you determine whether you want to pursue implementing 5S in your facility. The Introduction to 5S Guide is available free.

Your competition is tough. Isn't it time to start taking advantage of the power and benefits that lean manufacturing techniques can bring? 5S is a good place to start. It is relatively easy and not costly to implement. And the benefits can quickly be helping your bottom line.

Labels: 5S, Lean Manufacturing

posted by Steve Hudgik - 12:21:00 PM - - Permanent Link to This Article

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