The Way Ahead
The Way Ahead is the name given to Saab Aerostructures’ work with increasing its competitiveness as a major player on the international aerostructures market. The main part of the commitment focus on the implementation of a new production system that creates a more effective manufacturing process.
5/23/2007 | “In order to ensure our long-term success we need to increase our competitiveness. We are operating in a competitive market where the customers require and demand that we work efficient. We are selling knowledge and capability and, therefore, it’s extremely important what we do and how we do it. It’s all about creating the most efficient productive apparatus possible and to succeed with that it takes engagement and creativity from all personnel and managers”, explained Mats Karlström, who is responsible for Lean production at Saab Aerostructures and a part of Saab Aerostructures management team.
Mats Karlström
The lean principles, which imply the need to focus on order and method, visualisation, the value stream and balancing of workload among others, are the foundation for the way ahead. In order to learn more about different modes of operation, the business unit has been inspired by other successful companies from around the world.
“We’ve been inspired by other companies that work with lean production, but we do it our way. Copying somebody else´s the mode of operation doesn’t work due to cultural differences, among other things,” explained Karlström.
The switching of the production system has already been carried out for the production of doors for the Boeing 787 and the production of newly re-designed ailerons for the Airbus Single Aisle family. The production of both products is carried out in pulsed production lines.
“We constantly need to develop our mode of operation and our methods in order to continue to be successful in the highest division, said Karlström.”
The mode of operation is based on the needs of the customer and the idea is that everything is formulated thereafter. The needs of the customer are the main focus, waste is eliminated and a constant flow is created inducing a fluency in the production process. It is all about improving the value stream in order to locate and eliminate waste in the form of over-production, unnecessary stock, waiting time and unnecessary modes of transport. Everyone takes part and contributes.
“One gains a lot of time and money by standardising the mode of operation, having clearer roles and increasing communication. We will succeed with these changes and create a more profitable company. In time, we will accomplish better fluency in our work. In this way, we will also be able to release capacity that can be used when we expand, said Karlström.”
Back to CNB 2/2007