What is TPM (Total Productive Maintenance)?-TPM pillars

Do you know that there is a strategy named TPM that should be implemented in manufacturing firms for direct reduction in customer complaints, workplace benefits and manufacturing cost so that the productivity and quality of product should be increased. Let firstly know what exactly TPM( Total Productive Maintenance) is?

Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) is a maintenance philosophy and methodology that focuses on maximizing the productivity and efficiency of manufacturing equipment by involving all employees in the maintenance process. The goal of TPM total productive maintenance is to achieve zero equipment breakdowns, defects, and accidents, leading to improved overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), reduced downtime, increased equipment reliability, improved product quality, and a safer workplace. TPM is based on the principle that everyone in the organization, from the top management to the shop floor operators, has a role to play in maintaining equipment and improving production processes. The key pillars of TPM include autonomous maintenance, planned maintenance, and quality maintenance, and the TPM approach emphasizes employee training and engagement, continuous improvement, and a proactive approach to maintenance.

The “TPM pillars” is a framework that outlines the key elements required to implement Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) effectively. The 8 pillars are as follows:

Autonomous Maintenance: This pillar involves empowering operators to take responsibility for the routine maintenance of their equipment. This includes cleaning, lubrication, inspection, and minor repairs.

Planned Maintenance: This pillar involves developing a comprehensive maintenance plan for all equipment. This plan includes periodic inspections, preventive maintenance activities, and equipment overhauls.

Quality Maintenance: This pillar involves improving equipment and process reliability to ensure consistent product quality. This includes identifying and eliminating defects, reducing variation in the manufacturing process, and improving process control.

Training and Education: This pillar involves providing employees with the training and education they need to effectively perform their job duties. This includes technical training, safety training, and leadership development.

Safety, Health, and Environment: This pillar involves ensuring a safe and healthy workplace for all employees. This includes identifying and addressing safety hazards, promoting safety awareness, and complying with environmental regulations.

Office TPM: This pillar involves applying TPM principles and practices to office and administrative processes. This includes improving office efficiency, reducing errors, and optimizing workflow.

Early Equipment Management: This pillar involves ensuring that new equipment is designed for reliability and maintainability. This includes involving maintenance and production personnel in the equipment design process and performing equipment failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) to identify potential problems.

TPM in Administration: This pillar involves applying TPM principles and practices to administrative and management processes. This includes developing and implementing systems for continuous improvement, standardizing work processes, and promoting employee engagement and empowerment.

Sort: This involves removing all unnecessary items from the work area and keeping only what is essential to the work process. Unneeded items are either thrown away or moved to storage areas.

Set in Order: This involves organizing the work area in a way that promotes efficiency and productivity. Tools, equipment, and materials are arranged in a logical sequence, with the most frequently used items within easy reach.

Shine: This involves cleaning and maintaining the work area to ensure a safe and productive environment. Equipment and surfaces are regularly cleaned, and maintenance issues are addressed promptly.

Standardize: This involves establishing standard procedures for maintaining the work area and performing work tasks. Standardization ensures consistency and reduces the risk of errors and accidents.

Sustain: This involves maintaining the gains achieved through the previous steps by creating a culture of continuous improvement. Employees are encouraged to identify and address problems, and regular audits are conducted to ensure compliance with established procedures.

Implementing Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) can be a challenging process, but it is critical for manufacturing companies that want to achieve sustainable improvements in their equipment reliability, production efficiency, and product quality. Here are some steps that companies can take to implement TPM effectively:

Create a TPM Team: Establish a dedicated team of employees responsible for implementing TPM. The team should include representatives from all areas of the organization, including management, production, maintenance, quality, and safety.

Establish a TPM Program: Develop a comprehensive TPM program that outlines the goals, objectives, and strategies for implementing TPM. The program should include a clear roadmap for TPM implementation, including timelines, milestones, and resource requirements.

Develop a TPM Plan: Create a detailed TPM plan that outlines the specific activities, tasks, and responsibilities required to implement TPM. The plan should include a breakdown of the different TPM pillars, including autonomous maintenance, planned maintenance, and quality maintenance, and should identify the tools and techniques required for each pillar.

Provide Training: Train employees on the principles and practices of TPM, including how to identify and address equipment problems, how to conduct autonomous maintenance, how to perform planned maintenance, and how to improve quality and safety.

Engage Employees: Involve employees in the TPM process by encouraging them to identify and report equipment problems, participate in autonomous maintenance activities, and suggest improvements to production processes.

Monitor and Measure Progress: Monitor and measure progress against the TPM program and plan. Use key performance indicators (KPIs) to track equipment reliability, production efficiency, and quality, and use this data to identify areas for improvement.

Continuously Improve: Continuously improve the TPM program by reviewing and updating it on a regular basis. Encourage employee feedback and suggestions for improvement, and use this feedback to refine the TPM program and plan over time.

Here are some examples of successful Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) implementation in different industries:

Toyota: Toyota is widely recognized as a pioneer of TPM. The company implemented TPM in the 1960s and has since achieved significant improvements in equipment reliability, production efficiency, and product quality. Toyota’s TPM approach involves empowering operators to take ownership of their equipment and encouraging continuous improvement through small group activities.

Coca-Cola: Coca-Cola implemented TPM in its bottling plants and achieved a 50% reduction in equipment downtime and a 40% reduction in maintenance costs. The company’s TPM approach involves involving operators in the maintenance process, using predictive maintenance technologies, and providing regular training and education to employees.

Procter & Gamble: Procter & Gamble implemented TPM in its manufacturing plants and achieved significant improvements in equipment reliability, production efficiency, and product quality. The company’s TPM approach involves involving all employees in the maintenance process, promoting a culture of continuous improvement, and using advanced data analytics to identify and address equipment issues.

Boeing: Boeing implemented TPM in its production facilities and achieved significant improvements in equipment reliability and productivity. The company’s TPM approach involves involving operators in the maintenance process, using advanced data analytics to predict equipment failures, and providing regular training and education to employees.

Nestle: Nestle implemented TPM in its manufacturing plants and achieved a 20% reduction in equipment downtime and a 30% reduction in maintenance costs. The company’s TPM approach involves involving operators in the maintenance process, using predictive maintenance technologies, and providing regular training and education to employees.

These companies have demonstrated that TPM can be successfully implemented in a variety of industries and can lead to significant improvements in equipment reliability, production efficiency, and product quality. By involving all employees in the maintenance process, promoting a culture of continuous improvement, and using advanced technologies and data analytics, companies can achieve sustainable results and gain a competitive edge in the market.

Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) offers numerous benefits to manufacturing companies that implement it. Some of the key benefits of TPM are:

Increased Equipment Reliability: TPM focuses on preventive maintenance, which helps identify potential equipment problems before they occur. This reduces the risk of equipment breakdowns, which in turn improves equipment reliability and reduces downtime.

Improved Production Efficiency: By reducing equipment breakdowns and downtime, TPM helps to improve production efficiency. This leads to increased output, improved cycle times, and reduced lead times.

Reduced Downtime: TPM’s proactive approach to maintenance helps to minimize unplanned downtime. This allows companies to meet production schedules, reduce overtime, and improve overall equipment effectiveness.

Improved Product Quality: TPM’s focus on quality maintenance helps to identify and eliminate defects and reduce variation in the manufacturing process. This leads to improved product quality and customer satisfaction.

Improved Safety: TPM emphasizes the importance of safety in the workplace, and encourages employees to be proactive in identifying potential safety hazards. This leads to a safer work environment and reduced accidents.

Reduced Costs: By improving equipment reliability, reducing downtime, and improving production efficiency, TPM can help to reduce costs associated with equipment repair, maintenance, and replacement.

Overall, TPM manufacturing companies improve their overall business performance and competitiveness by optimizing equipment performance, reducing costs, and improving product quality and customer satisfaction.

To implement TPM successfully, companies need to invest in training and education, use advanced technologies and data analytics, and involve all employees in the maintenance process. By doing so, they can achieve sustainable results and create a culture of continuous improvement that drives their success in the long run.