Manufacturing 5S Project

Wozair is currently engaging in the Fit for Nuclear (F4N) programme which includes a category on Process Excellence. As well as the elements of Manufacturing Strategy, Value Stream Management, Performance Management, Process Improvement Training, Standard Work Methods, Planned Maintenance, Communication, Supply Chain Management and Environmental Management, Process Excellence also includes the adoption of 5S Workplace Organisation methods.

At Wozair our aim is always to create a streamlined, efficient manufacturing environment, whilst maintaining the essential high-quality standards. This is the reason behind the introduction and implementation of 5S, which began in 2019.

5S was developed in Japan and was created as part of the Toyota Production System (TPS), the manufacturing method begun by leaders at the Toyota Motor Company in the early and mid-20th century. In its most basic of definition, 5S is a system for organising spaces so work can be performed efficiently, effectively, and safely.

The naming of 5S refers to a list of five Japanese words: seiri, seiton, seisō , seiketsu, and shitsuke. These have been translated as Sort, Set In Order, Shine, Standardise and Sustain.

Wozair Operations Manager, Patrick Golding, explains: “Deciding to go for the Fit For Nuclear (F4N) certification has been an excellent opportunity to adopt lean-manufacturing principles on the shop floor, and we used the workings of 5S as our start point.”

Patrick continues: “For Wozair a streamlined, efficient workshop and a workforce using the methodology of 5S was the springboard to reducing costs, improving quality and increasing output. It has been proven that 5S fosters greater employee involvement and safer working practices. All shop floor training has been completed and the implementation plan will see us having applied the principles of 5S to every work centre shortly.”

An often-held thought is that the final ‘S’ of 5S, Sustain, is arguably the most important. As Patrick details: “there is an energy and motivation to implement the learnings of 5S, however it is key that we continue to monitor and sustain the good work that we have carried out. Without sustained discipline – at the “end” of the 5S process, any benefits from the first four steps would gradually evaporate.”

July 2020