Evaluation of possible SIX SIGMA implementation including a DMAIC project: a case study at the Cage Factory, SKF Sverige AB

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Six Sigma is an initiative launched by Motorola in 1987, focusing on reducing variation and continuously improving processes (Barney, 2002). This thesis was carried out at the Cage Factory in Gothenburg, a smaller unit within SKF Sverige AB with 124 employees. The factory manufactures the cage component in the bearing, which will keep the rollers in place in the complete bearing. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate and make comparisons between Six Sigma and the existing way of working with improvements and the organization in the Cage Factory and to give recommendations on what actions are needed to efficiently implement Six Sigma. To aid in the fulfillment of the purpose a practical DMAIC (Define- Measure- Analyze-Improve-Control) project was conducted. The project aims to reduce customer complaints and downtime caused by the turning activity in one of the production channels at the Cage Factory. Furthermore, several interviews with strategically selected individuals were conducted. The authors argue that Six Sigma could be implemented and integrated with the existing improvement approach, Total Process Management, TPMG. Six Sigma can be used to attack the most complex problems, while TPMG handles the many day-to-day issues. At the moment the implementation strategy "Strategically selected individuals and projects" is the most applicable at the Cage Factory. The authors argue that Six Sigma will provide a structure (DMAIC) and training in tools, thereby ensuring that the tools are used at the right time and in the right way at the Cage Factory. In the future, there has to be a strategy for generating possible Six Sigma projects at the Cage Factory. Also, it is important that a way for steering different problems to different problem solving activities is developed. However, some issues need to be considered if Six Sigma should work efficiently at the Cage Factory. A training venture is needed to enable the introduction of different roles in the organization. Also, all training should be connected to practical experience. It is important that the Cage Factory receives ...