Transitioning from a Reactive to a Proactive Manufacturing Culture

摘要

We often hear or use the terms "World Class Manufacturing" or "Best in Class Manufacturing" in reference to our manufacturing operation or perhaps a competitor's or supplier's manufacturing operation. However no formal industry recognized definition of "world class" or "best in class" manufacturing exists. There certainly are numerous industry recognized evaluation and certification programs such as ISO and the Malcolm Baldrige Award, but do any of these evaluations and certifications anoint a particular manufacturing operation as "World Class" and/or "Best in Class"? If not what is the true measure of a world class manufacturing operation? Of course our customers are the final judges of our performance, but what should we be doing to maximize the satisfaction of our customers? One of the key factors if not THE KEY FACTOR in attaining world class or best in class manufacturing status is the approach to developing, controlling, and improving the manufacturing process. A true world class manufacturing operation must have a Proactive Manufacturing Operation Culture. This paper will detail how a manufacturing operation can transition from a reactive manufacturing culture to a proactive manufacturing culture. Specific issues discussed will be: 1. How to recognize a proactive manufacturing culture 2. The specific training, management, and organizational issues that can make this transition successful. 3. Who must be involved? 4. How to get started? 5. What are the specific actions that must be completed to achieve the transformation? 6. How to institutionalize (maintain) a proactive manufacturing culture? 7. What are the process performance benefits of a proactive manufacturing culture?