Posted By Robert Black I'm looking for someone who has successfully worked with the Japanese 5S housekeeping system. I want to assess it's utility in a small polymer extrusion and warehousing operation (150 people). If you've used it and learned from your mistakes (:-)), I'd be most grateful if you could share your story. Thanks in advance.Robert Black

Posted By Sean Fraser Our small manufacturing facility in Cardiff uses the 5S system and the manager there swears by it. Produces a lot of charts and figures to show "progress". OK if you have the time to do it. We are not considering bringing the system into our larger facilities in Aberdeen. So the answer is - try it and see if it works for you. Like all fads it has the Hawthorn effect to begin with but only sustained effort will keep it up as other pressures begin to clamour for attention.

Posted By Faye Stacey I knew those years I spent at Toyota would come in handy! five Ss: the five rules of good housekeeping - sort, set in place, shine, standardise, sustain It worked really well there, but I think it very much depends on culture. Faye

Posted By Faye Stacey In my experience, the culture needs to be accepting to change. When I first started at Toyota it was a new concept to me (and my colleagues) and we adapted to it and it worked well. A friend of mine worked at Rolls Royce and they attempted to introduce it and it didn't work as well. A lot of the workers were not prepared to take responsibility for their areas and in the end RR introduced 5s champions. I remember someone telling me with pride that they now had this wonderful new title. But I just felt that it went against the original concept. You don't need a 'champion' if everyone accepts the new ideas. But it did work well at Toyota and also at 1st tier suppliers. 'Lean' approaches were used in all areas of the business with success, not just manufacturing. I think its worth a shot, because it can be very effective. Imai wrote some top books on the subject. Faye