Boosting Lean Production via TPM

This paper aims to have a brief study on the literature related to the application of TPM in the manufacturing industry. The study focuses on the main role of TPM in supporting the established quality improvement initiative such as lean production. Effort was made to discuss the published research related to TPM and lean production. This literature review-based research revealed an important research gap, i.e. the need of a comprehensive integration between these two methodologies. The significance role of TPM as an important complementary to lean production is observed has not been well addressed in the available literature. Most of the researches available investigate these initiatives separately, rather than addressing on the significant role of TPM as one of the main thrust. The beneficial outcome from TPM methodology is quite hindered and unexposed in some literatures related to lean production. The outcomes from this review is hope justify the needs of further research in the area of TPM integration with lean production, aimed at strengthening its philosophy towards more realistic applications. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd.