A Five S program is usually a part
of, and the key component of establishing a
Visual Workplace. and
are both a part of
Kaizen
-- a system of continual improvement -- which is a component
of lean manufacturing.
The
Five S program focuses on having visual order, organization,
cleanliness and standardization. The results you can
expect from a Five S program are: improved profitability,
efficiency, service and safety.
The principles underlying a Five S program at first appear to be simple, obvious
common sense. And they are. But until the advent of Five S programs many businesses
ignored these basic principles.
Everyone and all types of business
benefit from having a Five S program.
Manufacturing and industrial plants come to mind first,
as those are the business that can realize the greatest
benefits. However, any type of business, from a retail
store to a power plant -- from hospitals to television
stations -- all types of businesses, and all areas within
a business, will realize benefits from implementing
a Five S program.
The shipyard industry is spending
nearly a million dollars to develop a Five S program
the industry can use, and to implement that program
at two shipyards. On the other hand you can implement
a Five S program without adding an extra dollar to your
budget.
Realistically
you probably will need to spend some extra money to
get your Five S program going. There will be training
time; man-hours spent to get your facility cleaned up
and organized; equipment purchases, such as buying a
quality labeling system; and time spent on sustaining
your Five S program once it is in place.
Your actual costs will depend on where you are now
- for example what is the condition of your facility?
The further you are from meeting the goals of a Five
S program, the more it will cost to implement one and
the greater the benefits you'll see as a result of your
Five S program.
Labeling & Signs In A Five S Program:
Proper labeling, and use of 5s
posters and signs are an important part of 5S.
We are a leading supplier of custom label and sign
making equipment and supplies. We are happy to answer
any questions you have about labeling or signs, or
provide you with free brochures, specification sheets
or other information. Please give us a call today
at
. Or use our label and sign information online
request form.
This 5S tutorial written by: Steve Hudgik
