Implementing Lean Tools in the Manufacturing Process of Trimmings Products

Abstract The increasing requirements regarding quality assurance and processes traceability require the implementation of continuous improvement procedures, with a view of maintaining the company’s levels of competitiveness and satisfaction for its customers in terms of quality. The optimization of information flows and manufacturing processes are, in general, extremely important factors in any company’s life. It is therefore important that companies quickly self-adapt to this kind of reality and adopt policies of product innovation and standardization of its production processes, in order to allow rapid adaptation to the constant market changes. The present work aims to identify problems and finding solutions through a combination of PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle, 5S (Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu, Shitzuke) and 5W2H (5 Whys + 2 Hows) tools those can be implemented into a program of continuous improvement, with a view of standardizing of processes, ensuring real profits in products typically with critical added-value. The combination of tools was implemented and the results have been checked, showing a significant impact in the Weaving production process, with gains of 10% in the useful available time by the operator.