Practical conference “Lean Start Forum. Lean innovation. Where to start and how to avoid problems” took place in Skolkovo with the participation of managers and representatives of a number of plants and organizations. The Vostokcement group of companies was represented by General Director Alexey Sysoev and Deputy Manager for Production and Modernization of Spasskcement Anton Sysoev.
During the event, the participants were introduced to practical examples of starting the process of introducing lean manufacturing tools, applying this approach in production and the service sector, the stages and results of its implementation, as well as the work of Russian and foreign companies with lean innovations.
Experts Ekaterina Grishina, Director of the Productivity Improvement Center of the Russian Academy of Trade and Industry of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, Andrey Goering, director of production at AB InBev Efes; Nikolay Goleshchikhin, owner of the DirectActive consulting company; Kirill Mesenyashin, General Director of Optimum, and other specialists presented relevant cases that confirmed the economic effect after the implementation of lean initiatives.
The headliner of the conference was Toshio Horikiri, chairman of the board of directors of Toyota Engineering Corporation, which was the first to implement a new approach to management - the lean approach.
Lean manufacturing is currently used in a wide variety of industries in many countries around the world. This method encompasses the involvement of each employee in the optimization process and maximum customer orientation. With this methodology, businesses are able to reduce production costs and improve competitiveness.
In his presentation "Errors and Difficulties in Implementing Kaizen Principles", Toshio Horikiri touched upon such topics as problems of introducing lean manufacturing, motivating employees to work effectively, the system for developing technical specialists, activity in the workplace and methods of activating workers.
One of the main tasks of implementing the lean approach is the collective motivation of employees to perform their duties by explaining the exact tasks and goals of their work. Important factors are the provision of a comfortable environment, means for work and opportunities to increase the level of competencies, the creation and increase of employee interest in the results of both their work and the work of the entire team.
However, positive changes can be achieved provided that all employees are aware of their own prospects, perceive new methods, approaches, ways to solve current problems related to the organization of the work process and the equipment used in the work.
“The undoubted advantage of the conference lies in the opportunity to get acquainted with real examples of implementation of lean innovations, work cases and application methodology, as well as the results that real companies have managed to achieve,” stated Alexey Sysoev. - For the plants of the Vostokcement holding, lean production is a promising direction. Although we have already successfully applied a number of tools of this approach, for example, the system of motivating employees, we will introduce other elements of lean innovation in our future work. "
