When we first started deploying TPM in pursuit of the JIPM TPM Excellence Award, our Sensei introduced us to a new improvement route called the “QC Story.”  This tool was not new, but it was unknown to any of our personnel in the USA. Prior to this, we used various improvement routes, including: ·        A3 Thinking  → Visual management + leadership alignment ·        DMAIC (Six Sigma)  → Statistical rigor, variation reduction ·        PDCA Cycle  → Foundational iterative lea

Teams collaborating on QC Story problem-solving in a manufacturing environment Efficiency in manufacturing and production environments depends heavily on how well teams identify problems, solve them, and share solutions across different departments or sites. The Japan Institute of Plant Maintenance (JIPM) Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) framework offers powerful tools to support this process. Among these, the QC Story and Horizontal Deployment stand out for their ability t

An example of a training program for Basic Maintenance Skills to be taught to Operators. [Excerpted from the book " TPM for Executives and Managers " ] To apply for the TPM Award, you must already be familiar with TPM and have a functioning TPM implementation at your location with the following achievements: 2 years of activity and achievements throughout the facility in all eight pillars after a formal TPM kickoff. The plant must meet the criteria in the “TPM Self-checklist.

Autonomous maintenance is a key pillar in modern manufacturing and industrial operations. It empowers operators to take ownership of their equipment, leading to improved reliability, reduced downtime, and higher productivity. However, achieving effective autonomous maintenance requires more than just instructions and checklists. It demands hands-on learning, skill development, and continuous practice. This is where the Training Dojo plays a crucial role. The Training Dojo is

In today’s competitive manufacturing landscape, finding ways to boost manufacturing efficiency is more important than ever. Efficiency isn’t just about speeding up production; it’s about optimizing every step of the process to reduce waste, improve quality, and increase output without sacrificing safety or employee satisfaction. I’ve seen firsthand how small changes can lead to big improvements, and I’m excited to share practical strategies that you can apply right away. Why

The TPM Excellence award is a 3rd-party assessment of manufacturing plants conducted by the Japan Institute of Plant Maintenance. Each year the JIPM opens applications for the TPM Excellence awards to anyone globally who wishes to apply for the assessment. You can find the TPM application infomation on the TPM Excellence Web-site. To apply for the award application, you must first create a free account, with your contact information at this web site https://jipmglobal.com/