The status of lean implementation within South African aircraft maintenance organisations
Date
2011-09-26
Authors
Murphy, Sean
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Abstract
Globally the implementation of Lean techniques has proven to be successful in
improving quality while reducing turn around times and costs within aircraft
maintenance facilities, including those companies that are of a competitive threat
to South African companies.
The purpose of this study is to determine the level of Lean implementation within
South African aircraft maintenance facilities, due to the lack of current data or
research regarding this subject. Quantitative and qualitative data was derived
from interviews conducted with senior management of a sample of Gauteng
based facilities and the results where triangulated and interpreted to determine
both their understanding and the status of Lean within their facilities.
Lean implementation was not evident in the maintenance facilities surveyed. The
majority of persons interviewed showed a lack of understanding of Lean. There
was no evidence of any discernable methodology, such as Six Sigma or the
Theory of Constraints, being in place. The results of the study will benchmark
South African aircraft maintenance organisations against their global competition
and will determine what actions should be undertaken, if any, with respect to
Lean, so as to ensure they retain or improve their share of the expanding global
and African aviation maintenance market.