Improving the Production Process using Lean Concept: The Case of Gloves Manufacturer in Songkhla Province

Abstract

          This research aims to investigate how applying the Lean concept can help improving the gloves manufacturing process in a case study of a company in Songkhla province, Thailand. The study begins by identifying the problems and their causes, using the 5W1H questioning technique to analyze each step of the glove-making process, by collecting data from 11 key informants through participant observation and focus group methods. Lean tools were applied to create the value stream mapping, and the ECRS (Eliminate, Combine, Rearrange, and Simplify) method was used to improve the processes by eliminating unnecessary processing steps, adjusting several procedures so that they were able to be performed simultaneously, and using new methods. The research results indicated a 2.56 percent reduction of work in the process. Consequently, processing time was shortened from 229.92 hours to 217.72 hours, which is equal to a reduction of 5.31 percent. This result shows that Lean is a concept leading to reducing waste, resulting in a faster organization process, and a reduction in the delay in delivering finished products to customers. Therefore, the researcher recommends that entrepreneurs place emphasis on increasing operational efficiency by decreasing waste caused by repetitive and unnecessary work in the process of manufacturing gloves using the concept of Lean, as it has been shown to be potentially useful for this company.