Cut production time

Challenge

Volvo Bussar Säffle AB, bus production was mainly based on manual labour. Production was to be put on an industrial basis while enabling clients to make adjustments. The target was cut production time in half by 2009.

Solution

We worked on changes and improvements, talking with employee, studying drawings and checking logistics. We created a work schedule based on how long each stage of production takes. We studied the flow of materials to make sure things were in the right place in the right quantity at the right time. Everything is down to good communication.

Result

Work stations must be attractive, clean and logistically intelligent so that materials always arrive at the right time, neither too early or too late. A notice board at each work station ensures visual management. The notice board has four sections: safety, quality, delivery reliability and economics. These notice boards communicate a shared message. One way of raising awareness among staff was to give everyone a book entitled “Becoming World Class”.
“Our quality is heading in the right direction and in March 2007 we achieved a stage target within quality, earlier than expected,” explains an enthusiastic Staffan Ljungdahl, production manager at Volvo Bussar Säffle AB.