What is Continuous Improvement?
The easiest way for me to describe continuous improvement, common sense along with the elimination of waste. That is why we have named our program CICS or
Continuous Improvement equals Common Sense.
Waste, or “non-value added”, is defined as what you, the dealer, is willing to pay for. An example is, you are willing to pay for the material to be welded together but not for the time it takes to inspect the final product.
The starting point of any continuous improvement program is 5s+1, and it’s not only for the shop floor; the office is included.
5S stands for:
- Sort
- Straighten
- Shine
- Sustain
- Standardize
The +1 is safety, and trumps all other activities. We will also start looking for other types of waste by using other tools such as set-up reduction, total productive maintenance, mistake proofing, and creative problem solving.
Our Board of Directors is in full support of this program and has given us the direction to move forward by authorizing a Continuous Improvement Tech position (which we have fulfilled), creating a CICS council, quarterly reviews with the board, scheduling tours of other facilities in the area, planning workshops by department, and we have already started with kitting by operation on the Grinder assembly line.
This is a continuous process that will take some time to see results. In the future, you can expect many benefits from this implementation.
What CICS means to our dealers and farmers:
- More efficient production resulting in more timely equipment deliveries
- Improved quality of product with standardized steps
- Opportunity for extensive plant tours for dealers and farmers alike
- Enhanced customer service with standardized practices
- A dependable partner in an equipment manufacturer
We value your feedback as a loyal customer. If you have any input during this process, please share with us via phone, email, or satisfaction survey: https://goo.gl/forms/lOdcreu9qUYVxjiv1
-Jeff Lalumendre, Art’s Way Director of Manufacturing
