Transfer of total productive maintenance practice to supply chain

Abstract

Using a supply chain as a conduit of best practice transfer has long been recognized. This paper offers a detailed account of transferring the practice of total productive maintenance (TPM) from an automotive manufacturer in Malaysia to its respective vendors. By performing TPM by individual vendors, improvements can be expected on their machine availabilities, product qualities, safety requirements, and plant cost-effectiveness levels. All these inevitably impacts on the supply chain. In the study, visits were made to the vendors. The progress of the TPM implementation was monitored through gemba audit (onsite viewing), interviewing key personnel, referring to quality delivery reports and Jishu Hozen logbook. Mixed responses were observed and investigated from the inspected vendors in fulfilling the requirements specified. This led to the defining of a seven-phase TPM implementation framework suitable for best practice transfer onto a supply chain. The framework emphasises sustaining the practice in recipient parties, including the capturing of tacit knowledge related to TPM.