Improving Each Day with Kaizen

A little bit of planning and the urge to do better can have a long-lasting impact on our lives. It inculcates a habit of learning and improving, one day at a time. The concept of Kaizen is based on this philosophy. A Japanese word, Kaizen can be broken into Kai (meaning change) and Zen (meaning for the better) and literally means “continuous improvement”. No matter how big or small it is, every industry thrives on a continuous need to improve and evolve. Customer service, shop floor management, better and faster operation, waste management, and cost reduction are all part of this improvement process. Eicher has always had a legacy of implementing Kaizen practices in the way it operates. We strongly believe in the idea of improving a little every day toward a sustainable future.

Changing for the Better, One Day at a Time

The concept of Kaizen is based on five key elements — teamwork, personal discipline, improved morale, quality circles, and improvement suggestions. When every member of an organization joins hands to identify the problem areas and find solutions, the improvement becomes visible. In fact, a remarkable change is observed in the quality of the organization’s daily functioning. The process comes into play when a group of managers and employees spot an issue and brainstorm to solve it for the better. The solutions are then implemented to improve the existing way of functioning and change the quality of workflow.

Kaizen in Eicher’s Company-owned Dealerships

While Kaizen practices have been a part of Eicher for quite some time, our company-owned dealerships have also started implementing it in their daily operations. Some of the most common initiatives followed include fuel recycling, waste management, space utilization, optimum production, scrap utilization, and recycling junk.

There is a major focus on worthwhile utilization of filtered fuel and recycling of non-renewable resources like diesel. For example, at our company-owned dealerships in Jharsughra and Sundargarh, fuel efficiency is optimized as much as possible. Most of the equipment used here is fabricated locally from waste, with minimal to nil usage of diesel. In addition, since the fuel cannot be discarded under pollution norms, it is reused to wash parts of vehicles. The entire procedure is conducted in-house. Such small initiatives make a major difference for the organization, its people, and the environment. In addition, these initiatives are major drivers of cost reduction, thereby adding to the company’s profitability.

Optimum use of scrap and recycled products to make tools required for servicing or manufacturing vehicles are another focus area. Not only are they sustainable, but also cost-saving. For example, at one of our company-owned dealerships in Chennai, a kingpin bush removal tool was fabricated and integrated with a lift axle bush tool. The innovation has shortened the time and made things much easier. The overall impact is a move towards improvement, and this is how Kaizen makes an impact.

Proper utilization of space at the workshops like parking tires in a designated area, easily visible inventory, safe movement of parts and equipment, reducing chances of scratches and damage, etc., add to overall productivity. Such well-managed processes make it easier for the workforce to focus on their jobs and deliver better. Moreover, such positive vibes lead to happy and satisfied customers. And that is the end goal of any organization.

As mentioned earlier, improvement cannot be achieved overnight. It is a slow and steady process. The simple yet impactful Kaizen philosophy has been positively changing the face of businesses for decades. At Eicher vehicle, we are constantly looking to improve and evolve at every step. And, following Kaizen initiatives has been continuous support in this endeavour.