The impact of Kaizen Events on improving the performance of automotive components' first-tier suppliers

摘要

Purpose - The aim of this paper is to explore the possibility of improving production indicators by implementing Kaizen Events. The teams are composed of both managers and operators with the aim of developing and/or implementing improvements in three to five days. Methodology - The empirical research will consists of the description of the results obtained in 11 industrial companies from the automotive components industry. In each company, we have followed up different interventions over a 9-12-month period. Findings - We shall present the initial situation, the activities carried out by the companies and the evolution of manufacturing performance approximately three months after the activities were finished and qualitative conclusions on the carrying out of Kaizen Events. Value - There has been little empirical research to establish the degree of improvement of the production indicators in companies advancing towards lean production. The paper tries to fill this gap.