The second stage of the “Top Performer in Lean Production” competition at JSC “Solikamskbumprom” has been successfully completed! This stage began back in November of last year. Until the end of February, participants were required to submit applications, review the organization of work at their workplaces and departments, optimize costs, develop a project, and prepare to present it.
Three teams entered the “Best Team” category for the second stage of the competition: the team from the Laboratory of Technological and Incoming Control (LTIC) of the Laboratory and Technical Control Department (LTCD); the Finished Product Inspectors from the Finished Product Shipment Department; and Brigade no. 1 of the Grinding Section of the Repair and Mechanical Shop. The lathe operator for the repair of equipment of a separate structural unit “Vishera”, Ramil Sharafiev, decided to share his achievements in workplace organization.5S Brings People Together
As project manager for labor productivity Tatyana Vetchaninova notes, participants in the second stage had it somewhat easier than the “pioneers”, they had the opportunity to ask questions of the previous season's winners, pick up on some ideas, see the results of implementing lean principles firsthand, and evaluate the outcomes. For example, the laboratory for physical and mechanical testing of LTCD became the leaders of the first stage and served as mentors for the second-stage participants.
The contestants admit that the most difficult and at the same time exciting part was organizing the space and equipment. It was at this stage that they had to use their ingenuity to arrange everything as conveniently as possible.
- A great deal of work was done during the sorting phase, which is one of the core principles of the 5S system in lean production, - says Tatyana Panteleeva, a chemical analysis lab technician from LTIC LTCD. - Thanks to this, we can now easily find the necessary current documentation at any moment.
As part of their project defense preparations, The Finished Products Shipment Department staff also visited the laboratory and technical control department. The second stage marked the debut of this structural unit in the competition, and they approached it with full dedication.
- The employees of the finished product shipping department began implementing lean production principles long before the competition started, - Tatyana Vetchaninova emphasizes. - A great deal of work has been done. The team demonstrated their innovations, which I found very interesting. I will use them in my future work and recommend them when implementing the project in other departments.
Racing for the Lead
The project presentation is one of the most important and nerve-wracking moments of the competition. Participants had to demonstrate to the jury not only the new organization of production, but also visibly show how the implemented principles affected work efficiency and productivity.
- Students often come to us for practical training, and now it will be easier for them to adapt to the workplace: to grasp the essence of the work more quickly without wasting time on unnecessary operations, - says Irina Yudina, a chemical analysis lab technician at LTIC LTCD. - All equipment has its own designated place, which makes the training process more effective.
- If loading a container used to take two hours, we now manage it in 40 minutes - sometimes even faster! – noted Elena Ponomareva, a finished product inspector at Finished Products Shipment Department. – This became possible thanks to a clearly structured system based on lean production principles.
Ramil Sharafiev was also highly appreciative of the innovations. He was inspired to enter the competition by the experience of his colleagues and previous stage winners, Sergey Sucheninov and Kirill Bakarji. Ramil admits that he genuinely loves his work. He is captivated not only by the final result, but also by the process itself: each stage of machining a part is a combination of precision and creativity. He studies the workings of the lathe with great interest, exploring the intricacies of its setup and mechanisms.
- There is always room for improvement, - smiles the young papermaker. - Today I achieved order; tomorrow I want to make the process even faster and more convenient. I study my colleagues' experience and take note of the most interesting solutions.
Each project presentation was vivid, confirmed the effectiveness of the principles, and demonstrated employees' eagerness to move forward - improving their work environment and increasing productivity.
- The hardest part now is maintaining the level we've achieved. The innovations must become not just a report, but a habit – a system that works like clockwork, - Tatyana Vetchaninova emphasizes.
To that end, weekly audits are held in the workshop jointly with the Deputy Chief Mechanic for spare parts, Denis Tislov. These audits help identify gaps, increase the effectiveness of the principles, and create conditions for employees to develop the habit of working in the 5S format – carefully and efficiently.
Winners and Prize-Winners of Stage 2 of the “Top Performer in Lean Production” competition:
Category “Best Team Implementing Lean Production Principles”:
1st place:
- Team of the Laboratory of Technological and Incoming Control (LTCD)
- Team of Finished Product Inspectors (Finished Products Shipment Department)
3rd place:
- Team of Brigade No. 1 (Knife and Roller Sharpening) of the Grinding Section of Repair and Mechanical Shop
Category “Best Workplace”:
- Absolute winner: Ramil Sharafiev, lathe operator, Equipment Repair Shop of a separate structural unit “Vishera”