Joint effort towards more efficient production
KTH is making a joint effort with Scania and Nova University College Centre in Oskarshamn, says the local newspaper Nyheterna. This is a one-year project aiming to develop the Japanese industrial production model, ”lean production”, towards achieving better performance in Swedish industry.
Participating in this venture are also ABB, BT Products, Saab Aerostructure and Volvo CE. The project has been named ”World-class production in Sweden – Lean in Swedish”. Recently a kick-off starter took place at KTH; it is estimated that representatives from the partners will meet for discussions once every two months during next year. Their efforts are meant to result in a guide describing how lean production could be applied meaningfully in our country.
Very briefly, ”lean production” deals with sharpening the focus on the customer, standardization, and constant improvements everywhere. Also, to ensure that materials, components, spares and products are at hand at the right time and the right place – ”Just-in-Time”. The first major corporation to introduce these ideas was Toyota, in Japan; this is why the concept is often referred to as ”the Toyota Model”.
Håkan Soold