10 Steps To Improve Productivity
10 steps to improve productivity
By Roger Thomas of Methods Workshop
Introduction
The general level of efficiency in this country is around 35-45% this leaves great potential for improvement. Efficiency levels should be 75 -85%, and if achieved the industry will be impregnable. With a short span before China’s quotas are lifted real productivity improvements are essential!
The 10 steps:
1. Management commitment.
2. Training and empowerment
3. Fabric saving
4. Work Study
5. Times and methods
6. Measuring performance
7. Line Balancing
8. Quality
9. Personnel Management
10. Better equipment
1. Management commitment
Productivity improvement schemes require discipline and co-operation from all concerned, permanent improvements will be maintained only with Top Management involvement and support. Management cannot be allowed to “sit on the fence” they
MUST commit, performance levels are too low, there is a comfort level that must be broken. If management is prepared to accept 45% so will the operators.
2. Training and empowerment
Without sufficient skills and knowledge your main asset, the people who work for you will not be effective. Real, in depth productivity improvement will only be achieved by improving the skill base in the business. For productivity purposes we recommend that
Production Managers, Supervisors, Work study and Quality controllers undergo training courses and that their performance in the training is monitored and decisions made as a consequence of their results. Allow these people to make decisions and to learn by their mistakes. Training must start at the top, teaching people communication skills is vital – it’s a fact that people do not listen and this of course will immediately delay any planned improvements “Training is expensive?” – Try ignorance!!!
3. Fabric saving
Fabric represents 55% to 70% of the product cost, it is imperative to have total control of all issues. Fabric reconciliations must happen at the end of each P.O. The results of
By Roger Thomas of Methods Workshop
Introduction
The general level of efficiency in this country is around 35-45% this leaves great potential for improvement. Efficiency levels should be 75 -85%, and if achieved the industry will be impregnable. With a short span before China’s quotas are lifted real productivity improvements are essential!
The 10 steps:
1. Management commitment.
2. Training and empowerment
3. Fabric saving
4. Work Study
5. Times and methods
6. Measuring performance
7. Line Balancing
8. Quality
9. Personnel Management
10. Better equipment
1. Management commitment
Productivity improvement schemes require discipline and co-operation from all concerned, permanent improvements will be maintained only with Top Management involvement and support. Management cannot be allowed to “sit on the fence” they
MUST commit, performance levels are too low, there is a comfort level that must be broken. If management is prepared to accept 45% so will the operators.
2. Training and empowerment
Without sufficient skills and knowledge your main asset, the people who work for you will not be effective. Real, in depth productivity improvement will only be achieved by improving the skill base in the business. For productivity purposes we recommend that
Production Managers, Supervisors, Work study and Quality controllers undergo training courses and that their performance in the training is monitored and decisions made as a consequence of their results. Allow these people to make decisions and to learn by their mistakes. Training must start at the top, teaching people communication skills is vital – it’s a fact that people do not listen and this of course will immediately delay any planned improvements “Training is expensive?” – Try ignorance!!!
3. Fabric saving
Fabric represents 55% to 70% of the product cost, it is imperative to have total control of all issues. Fabric reconciliations must happen at the end of each P.O. The results of