Lean Manufacturing research

To date numerous MBA Masters treatises have been completed on the topic of lean manufacturing and several more are in the pipeline, with the numbers steadily growing. Two doctoral candidates are also doing their theses on the implementation of lean manufacturing.

Topics completed are:

2007:

• Britz, K. Investigating the kanban implementation at Kromberg & Schubert, South Africa
• Conybeare, N. The role of GMSA to assist their suppliers with the successful implementation of lean practices
• Olivier, C. A proposed strategy for the implementation of Total Productive Maintenance at Continental, South Africa

2006:

• Botha, C.J. A study of the impact of an Eastern Cape automotive manufacturer’s supplier support practices.

• Erasmus, B.Q. An assessment of the supplier development practices at Volkswagen South Africa.

• Jozaffe, L.B. Organisational sustainability in lean manufacturing in the pharmaceutical industry.

• Kanakana, M.G. An assessment of the challenges and successes experienced when implementing the Six Sigma methodology in Continental Tyre South Africa

• Madwara, N.J. Overcoming supply line barriers to the implementation of lean manufacturing in the Transwerk Uitenhage plant.

• Ncube, M. The impact of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) on manufacturing performance at the

• Colt section of Daimler Chrysler in the Eastern Cape.

• Pitout, C.J. Determining the critical success factors for implementing lean manufacturing into a South African manufacturing environment: a case study.

• Silo, A.E. Utilising value stream mapping to improve operations at Transwerk Uitenhage.

• Spence, M.G. The strategic implementation of continuous improvement tools within manufacturing plants of the Eastern Cape.

Earlier studies:

• Andersson, CP: Designing a lean manufacturing model for Johnson Control, SA.

• Arnold, M: An analysis of the efficiency of the value chain in an Eastern Cape manufacturer of baby nursery accessories.

• Bodley, WA: A critical study of the implementation of lean manufacturing by Feltex Foam Mouldings for World Class Competitiveness.

• Brown, W. 2000. A study of transformation of the production process toward world-class manufacturing at Continental Tyres South Africa (Pty).

• Calitz, D: A study on the implementation and impact of lean manufacturing at Dana Spicer South Africa

• Girling, R: Promotion of Calsonic South Africa as a competitive source of automotive components for global supply (a study on WCM practices)

• Goosen, IJ: Evaluating Goodyear South Africa's supplier development programs against established best practice

• Havemann, W. 2001. A study on how a South African automotive manufacturer can optimally implement sequential JIT deliveries from remote suppliers.

• Haward, GF: Mapping the value stream of FP2 Paintshop: Daimler Chrysler South Africa.

• Hugo, PG: Waste identification and elimination, within the production process of an Eastern Cape tank container manufacturer, using value stream mapping tools.

• Lindhorst, B. 2001. The development and implementation of a total productive maintenance program at a wire harness assembly plant.

• Muthayan, SS: An assessment of the impact of a Kanban pilot study in a solid dose manufacturing site

• Steenkamp, J: An assessment of the implementation status of world-class manufacturing best practices in the automotive component sector in the Eastern Cape.

More information about these studies can be obtained from Koot Pieterse

Current and ongoing research:

Several studies are currently being conducted on overcoming the barriers to implementation in South Africa, and to assess the implementation of lean in the automotive industry in the Eastern Cape.