Review of Research Literature- “Key Elements of Manufacturing Excellence - with Special Focus on Indian Auto Component MSMEs/SMEs”

Abstract

In the last two decades, “Manufacturing Excellence” (ME) has emerged as a concrete platform for Manufacturing Transformation in Indian Automobile Industry. Various models for Business and Manufacturing Excellence have not only been developed but also published by different Authorities, Institutes and Individuals like Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, European Foundation for Quality Management Excellence, Deming Prize, Toyota Production Systems, Shigeo Shingo Model for Operational excellence, Tata Business Excellence Model and Modern Approaches to “Manufacturing Excellence” (ME). Every model has captured various business and manufacturing processes and defined the requirement as a standard element. This research work aims to conduct a comparative analysis of Major ME models and identify the commonly addressed major ME elements. In addition to it, it tries to identify the applicable ME elements to Auto Component MSMEs through a survey done with Industry experts.

Large scale companies have adopted suitable ME models by deploying the required resources either as their initiative or as required by their customers. The deployment of ME elements requires the presence of systems, resources, infrastructure, and expertise on the understanding of element requirements and its execution.

This research focuses on mapping the presence of all the key pillars, key elements, and sub-elements of ME in all major ME models under study. In this study, further analysis is done to identify the coverage of all key and sub-element in each model on a priority matrix. The outcome of this study has resulted in identifying 12 elements (out of 14 key and 53 sub-elements), which are addressed as significant in all ME models. Out of these 12 elements, which are the important elements for Indian auto component MSMEs, a survey was conducted with the Industry experts to capture its ranking. Out of this study, it was found that there are seven key processes/elements which contribute majorly in achieving manufacturing excellence in Indian Auto Component MSMEs/SMEs.