Operational excellence
Operational excellence is a core value of Atlas Copco Group, with a culture of continuous improvement at its core. At Atlas Copco Airpower, operators are at the heart of the production process and have achieved impressive improvements in quality, delivery and productivity through Lean principles. Atlas Copco Airpower’s efforts are also characterized by a continuous quest for improvement, with employees sharing knowledge and experiences through a ‘Kaizen methodology’.
What is the Kaizen methodology?
Kaizen is a Japanese word meaning “continuous improvement”.
Kaizen involves gradually and continuously improving processes, products and systems and promoting a culture of continuous learning and adaptation.
Kaizen helps streamline operations, reduce waste and optimize resources. It also improves quality: by continuously refining processes, Atlas Copco Airpower ensures high-quality products. Finally, Kaizen enables employees to contribute ideas and actively participate in improvement initiatives, creating a high level of commitment.
Operators are key
Kaizen encourages operators to actively participate in identifying inefficiencies in the production process and proposing improvements. In this way, Atlas Copco Airpower’s operators are problem solvers, not just task executors.
Some examples of how Kaizen works at Atlas Copco Airpower:
- Operators participate in Gemba walks, where they observe processes on the shop floor. They identify bottlenecks, waste and areas for improvement.
- Operators experiment together with colleagues from production and engineering to optimize standard work procedures.
- Operators focus on small, immediate improvements. For example, reorganizing workstations or optimizing tool placement.
- Everyone applies the 5S principles: (i) Sort: Remove unnecessary items. (ii) Set in Order: Organize tools and materials. (iii) Shine: Keep the workplace clean. (iv) Standardize: Establish consistent practices. (v) Sustain: Maintain improvements over time.
- All employees, across all departments, participate in Kaizen events (targeted improvement workshops). They follow training sessions to improve their craftsmanship. They learn problem-solving thinking and become proficient in lean techniques.
- Operators provide feedback on process changes. Their insights lead to further improvements.
The Lean Lead Award 2024 rewards Atlas Copco Airpower's efforts in the field of Lean management and is a compliment to its operators who make the difference.