EMS ‘Lean Sigma’ shortens cycle time, reduces costs & improves quality
EMS ‘Lean Sigma’ shortens
cycle time, reduces costs &
improves quality
by Maths E. Andersson, Elcoteq, Luxembourg
Lean Sigma, an approach
that has been in practice for
several years, mixes the lean
manufacturing concept and
problem solving approach with
Six Sigma for a more efficient
manufacturing process. The idea
is to combine Lean Sigma with
a company’s strategic objectives
to make sure every project and
activity benefits these strategic
objectives and always has a
positive affect on net profit.
This article provides examples of
how an electronics manufactur-
ing services (EMS) provider has
shortened cycle time, reduced
costs and improved quality for
the entire supply chain through
To work effectively, Lean Sigma thinking or modification of all production processes
its Lean Sigma program.
must be part of a company’s culture and relevant to product design, supplier net-
requires top-down company-wide imple- works, factory management and customer
mentation. There is an attitude, knowledge relations. The main theme, according
and skill-set associated with successful to the original concept, is to increase
Keywords: Lean Manufacturing,
implementation. To extend this thinking cost-effectiveness through continuously
Six Sigma, Lean Sigma
across the company to the suppliers and eliminating non-value added work.
the entire product value chain can enable Six Sigma is aimed at moving an
all parties to communicate in a common organization towards Six Sigma quality and
language on process alignment, goal shar- is similar to lean manufacturing as the goal
ing, co-evolution and mutual long-term is to reduce production and development
commitment. It ensures that the product costs, reduce cycle times and inventory
development process keeps pace. Involve- levels, eliminate defects, increase profit
ment of an EMS can translate these Lean margins and improve customer satisfaction.
Sigma principles more effectively. It uses a data-driven structured approach to
attack defects to improve the sigma level of
lean manufacturing vs. six sigma goods and services. Neither lean manu-
Lean manufacturing is an operational facturing nor Six Sigma is a new concept;
strategy to require less human effort, less however, economic and environmental
inventory, less product development time conditions have caused companies to delve
and more efficient handling of customers’ into them more deeply or take a second
demands while producing top quality prod- look.
ucts in the most efficient and economical
manner possible. The mechanisms of lean lean sigma
manufacturing focus on the efficient design Lean Sigma mixes the concepts of lean
10 – Global SMT & Packaging – May 2009 www.globalsmt.net
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