Deploying Lean Six Sigma framework in an automotive component manufacturing organization

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to deploy Lean Six Sigma (LSS) framework to facilitate defect reduction and enhance bottom line results of an automotive component manufacturing organization.

Design/methodology/approach

LSS is a business process improvement strategy widely used in the manufacturing field for enhancing manufacturing organization performance. The integration of Lean and Six Sigma will enable the attainment of defects reduction by eliminating non-value-adding activities from production line. LSS framework has been developed with the integration of define–measure–analysis–improve–control (DMAIC) tools and techniques.

Findings

The finding of this study is that the LSS framework has been successfully implemented in automotive component manufacturing organization, and non-value-adding activities and defects from assembly line have been reduced. The proposed LSS framework applies lean tools within Six Sigma DMAIC approach to facilitate waste elimination and defect reduction. The developed framework with linkage of DMAIC tools and techniques reduces defects and non-value-adding activities with enhanced bottom line results. The implementation of proposed LSS framework shows effective improvement in key metrics.

Research limitations/implications

The developed framework has been test implemented in an automotive component manufacturing organization. In future, more number of studies could be conducted. Further, advanced lean tools and techniques could be included in the framework for increasing the effectiveness of production line.

Practical implications

The proposed LSS framework with linkage of DMAIC tools and techniques has been successfully implemented in an assembly line of automotive component manufacturing organization. This method is presently applied for an automotive component manufacturing organization; in future, the approach could be applied in different industrial sectors with addition of new tools and techniques for improving its effectiveness.

Originality/value

LSS framework has been designed and test implemented in an assembly line of an automotive component manufacturing organization. Hence, the inferences are practical and key results of the study.

Citation

Swarnakar, V. and Vinodh, S. (2016), "Deploying Lean Six Sigma framework in an automotive component manufacturing organization", International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, Vol. 7 No. 3, pp. 267-293. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLSS-06-2015-0023