Struggling to Implement 5S in Manufacturing Without Senior Support – Any Advice?

Implementing 5S in a Manufacturing Company

I am working in a sheet metal auto parts manufacturing company. My director has given me the task of applying 5S in the company. I do not have any senior staff to cooperate. Please give suggestions. I welcome your valuable replies.

Thanks in advance.

Warm regards,
Shaheja Jafri

It will not be wrong if I say that you need to understand what 5S is. You will find a lot of information on 5S in this forum as well.

Implementing 5S in Different Environments

There is no difference in implementing 5S in a sheet metal auto part manufacturing company compared to any other manufacturing company. The principles of 5S apply equally to both manufacturing and non-manufacturing environments. Furthermore, there is no distinction between applying 5S at home versus in the workplace. The importance of 5S remains consistent whether it is practiced in India or any other location outside India.

Implementing 5S in an MNC: Insights and Tips

Let me share some of my experiences when we implemented it at an MNC:

• 5S is not just a practice of good housekeeping. It is a way of thinking differently. A change of paradigm is needed.

• First, the person who advocates 5S should be seen to be practicing it. (People will do as you do, not as you say).

• Provide training to all personnel from top down. During your training sessions, get managers to come and share their knowledge/experience, and most importantly, their commitment to 5S and its practice.

• Next, start off a pilot project. Choose a small area, easily managed (not toilets as it is used by many people). Implement and highlight before/after results. Put this up on notice boards, newsletters. Publicity is very important.

• At later stages, you can organize 5S competitions between sections/departments.

• Don't forget to buy some good videos to show during training and also play them during break times in canteens. Posters will also help.

• The most difficult part is to sustain the efforts.

Please keep me posted, as I am interested to see the results.

My email: [Email Removed For Privacy Reasons]

Best regards,

Audi
Malaysia

If followed meticulously, 5S is easy to implement. Sustaining 5S practice is the real challenge. In many countries, annual competitions and certifications are offered to encourage building sustainability. 5S is also known as Workplace Excellence.

If you tell me the country to which you belong, I can share the government organizations that provide support for implementation.

With warm regards,

Dr. Raj Mohan
[Email Removed For Privacy Reasons]

I have reloaded the 5S implementation roadmap. This is the first time I am attempting to upload a file, and I made mistakes. I will try to share more along the way.

Regards,
Audi Narasingam
Malaysia