Chapter 2 – Back to Basics

Publisher Summary This chapter outlines a few fundamental premises of the total plant performance management (TPPM) program that helps the plant to move toward optimum performance. To accomplish optimum performance levels, a unique total plant continuous improvement program must be developed for each plant or corporation to create both a working environment and management structure that is focused on product quality, on-time delivery, and competitive costs. The American industry has reorganized itself after the loss of market share. The domestic industries have adopted one or more of the Japanese management programs, such as total productive maintenance and just-in-time manufacturing, or to enter joint ventures with their offshore competitors. Each of these programs focuses on a specific area of perceived problems, such as quality or high maintenance costs, and ignores the multitude of other factors that directly affect plant performance. Plants implement multiple programs to resolve problem of labor power, time, and loss of focus. In addition to Japanese management programs,the American industry has attempted to implement packaged programs, such as reliability-centered maintenance, computers-in-manufacturing, and a multitude of other programs.