TPM implementation - U.K. foundry industry

An assessment of the capabilities of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) in the UK foundry industry is presented, together with a comparative study of UK and Japanese foundries relating to engineering and asset care activities. A TPM implementation strategy appropriate for UK foundries is proposed. Still relatively unknown in the UK, TPM is aimed at reducing inefficiencies in an organization's internal manufacturing chain. The foundry industry in particular would certainly benefit as most foundry equipment are relatively old and exposed to very harsh environments. Additionally, most foundries produce only small profits and urgently require a means for improving such margins. Unlike in the UK, having more knowledge on TPM has made the Japanese ready and willing to apply the concept, with results clearly supporting all research evidences found. Because TPM is easily applied, the main problem for the UK foundry industry would be accepting the commitment which TPM requires.