A Case Study on Implementation of 5S in a Manufacturing Plant to Improve Operational Effectiveness

Abstract

5S is one of the important industrial engineering techniques to obtain workplace organization and efficiency enhancement. This paper reports a case study on implementation of 5S in a factory facility of a valve manufacturing company. The aim behind implementing 5S is to improve the productivity and efficiency by reducing the factory chaos, reducing the tool and material search time, and arranging the workplace for a better visibility of the machines, equipment, and items. Audit checklists, workplace pictures, and time study have been used to analyse the effect of 5S implementation. A strategic 5S implementation in this work resulted in much better workplace organization; improved visibility, appearance, and orderliness of objects; and significant reduction in the time to search or access tools.