Title: Six Sigma implementation at an auto component manufacturing plant: a case study

Authors: G.A. Radha Krishna, G.S. Dangayach

Addresses: Industrial Engineering Department, Global e:Business Operations Pvt Ltd., Hewlett Packard, HP, Tower 3, 1st Floor, Golf View Campus, Wind Tunnel Road, Murugeshpalya, Bangalore – 560 017, India ' Mechanical Engineering Department, Malviya National Institute of Technology, Malaviya Nagar, JLN, Marg, Jaipur – 302017 Rajasthan, India

Abstract: This paper deals with the implementation of process-level Six Sigma in an auto component manufacturing plant. The objective for presenting case studies here is to assess the importance of Six Sigma strategy in Indian manufacturing companies. The details of Six Sigma methodology and principles are presented here. The case studies mentioned here are developed for a product in an automobile component manufacturing company, M/s ABC Ltd., an MNC. The project mentioned here is a process-level Six Sigma, applied in their components manufacturing area. With the structured methodology of Define, Measure, Analyse, Implement, Improve and Control (DMAI²C) approach, they were able to achieve 4.1 sigma level from 3.75 sigma level (before the start of project) as explained in detail in the case study.

Keywords: six sigma; critical to quality; CTQ; parts per million; PPM; failure mode and effects analysis; FMEA; statistical process control; SPC; process capability; India; automotive components; automobile industry; component manufacturing; DMAIC.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSCA.2007.015070

International Journal of Six Sigma and Competitive Advantage, 2007 Vol.3 No.3, pp.282 - 302

Published online: 09 Sep 2007 *

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