How We Implemented Lean Six Sigma at JEM Electronics

What’s Six Sigma?

As a method for providing organizations with the tools to control and improve their processes, Six Sigma helps companies increase their business performance. For example, it reduces process variations to help minimize defects while improving profitability, employee morale, and product quality.

Six Sigma follows a rigorous DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve, and control) approach. It starts by identifying a problem and ends with implementing an effective long-term solution. Employees with a Six Sigma green belt certification have proven that they have gained the specific knowledge and skills to analyze and solve quality problems and engage in quality improvement projects.

As part of the methodology, organizations incorporate measurable metrics into their processes and aim to achieve a quality performance of 3.4 defects per million opportunities. They follow a four-step process to:

• Measure the existing systems to define a baseline or benchmark.
• Analyze the system to identify the root cause of an issue and devise tactics to eliminate defects.
• Improve the process by testing and developing optimal solutions.
• Control output through continually improving operating instructions, policies, and procedures.

Lean Six Sigma focuses on defect prevention, customer satisfaction, and bottom-line results. It reduces variation, waste, and cycle time to help organizations achieve a competitive advantage.

Why Is Six Sigma Important in Manufacturing?

Lean Six Sigma helps manufacturers improve quality and increase cost-efficiency, the benefits of which will be passed onto partners and customers in the form of lower costs and a more predictable process that delivers high-quality products on time and on budget.

Here are the advantages of applying the Six Sigma methodology in manufacturing:

• Waste reduction: One of the main objectives of Six Sigma focuses on producing more with fewer inputs (e.g., time, space, efforts, resources, and energy.) It helps us ensure that resources are allocated appropriately and efficiently. It also facilitates continual improvements of various processes to add the most value for our customers.
• Efficient time management: Six Sigma helps improve employee productivities, allowing them to focus on tasks that will create the most impact for our partners and customers. The process also helps us better control costs and pass the savings onto our customers.
• Improved customer experience: The Six Sigma methodology allows us to provide high-quality products and services at competitive prices. It also gives us the process to improve customer feedback and address defects until each customer is satisfied.
• Motivated employees: Boosting employee morale helps us increase productivity, which ultimately allows us to deliver our projects on time while keeping costs low. Maintaining a high level of employee loyalty helps us keep specialized knowledge within our teams and leverage the expertise to devise innovative solutions for our clients.
• Continual improvements: Six Sigma can especially benefit our long-term customers because it allows us to identify and rectify the most problematic and complex aspects of our processes. By continually measuring results and making improvements, to achieve operational excellence, we’ll be able to deliver products and provide services of the highest quality as a global leader in custom cable assemblies, electro-mechanical assemblies, wire harness assemblies, and box build assemblies.

How Six Sigma Benefits You

In summary, Lean Six Sigma helps JEM offer our customers:

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