Almost every company has practiced the 5S principles without noticing. For instance, many companies have performed housekeeping and cleanup to remove extra inventories, personal items, tools, etc. from the working areas. Also, many companies have already organized their working areas so as to keep efficiency high and cost down. The author of this page has collected many actual examples from the books, magazines, or via personal contact. Here are just a few of them:
If you would like your company's examples be displayed here,
please mail me a photo with a brief explanation of each. On the other
hand, if you don't like your company's examples be posted, please inform
me. I shall remove them from the list. Sent your comments to:
Dr. Chao-Hsien Chu at:
chu_c@iastate.edu
Sauer Sundstrand Co., Ames, IA.
Hewlett-Packard - Computer Systems
Division, Cupertino, CA.
Hewlett-Packard - Ft. Collins Systems
Division, Ft. Collins, Co.
Harley-Davidson York, Inc., York, PA
Sauer Sundstrand, Ames, IA, CA
Example of Seiton and Visual Control
Tools are organized in sequence and closed to the point of use. Operating procedure is located close to the working area.
Computer Systems Division, Hewlett-Packard, Cupertino, CA
Example of Seiton and Visual Control
In manual insertion area, small parts are replenished in a supermarket-type storage area. The workers freely take the parts they need. As the boxes are emptied, additional boxes are provided.
Source: Sepehri, M., Just-in-Time, Not Just in Japan, American Production and Inventory Control Society, 1986, p. 66.
Computer Systems Division, Hewlett-Packard, Cupertino, CA
Example of Seiton
PCB Kanban pigeonholes help to organize the workplace.
Source: Sepehri, M., Just-in-Time, Not Just in Japan, American Production and Inventory Control Society, 1986, p. 234.
Harley-Davidson York, Inc., York, PA
Example of Seiton and Visual Control
Finished parts are stored in carts located at shop floor.
Clearly label the storage area.
Source: Sepehri, M., Just-in-Time, Not Just in Japan, American Production and Inventory Control Society, 1986, p. 173.