What Does 5 S Do For You?

We have recently started a 5S program and it is amazing how much time it saves after you have completed the process. I had read about 5S and wondered how it really worked in an office setting. When management determined that we would all start a 5S program, I was not convinced that it was worth the time and effort involved in getting to the end result. I could not have been more wrong. Initially it did take a lot of time to clean up old files, desk drawers, storage areas, tables and desk tops. Then it took time to organize and label everything. But in the end, I can now find what I’m looking for in seconds as opposed to ½ hour increments.

I visited a manufacturing plant that utilizes 5S throughout the plant. It is amazing to see. It’s hard for many of us to imagine a plant that manufactures large vehicles to be as clean and spotless as a hospital, but that is exactly how the plant looks, including light painted floors. If you want to make a difference in your company, I highly recommend 5S. The ends will definitely justify the means.

The author, Marge Bonura, is the Director of Sales & Marketing for New England Machinery, Inc. (NEM). NEM is a leading packaging machinery manufacturer of bottle unscramblers, cappers, orienters, retorquers, lidders, pluggers, pump sorter/placers, scoop feeders, hopper elevators and much more. The company has been in business since 1974 selling to the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, personal care, chemical, household products, automotive and other industries. For more information on NEM, visit their website at www.neminc.com.