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3.0 Benefits

One of TPMs strengths is its ability to operate alongside other quality initiatives.
At Elkes, these include NVQ assessments, the drive for Investors in People
accreditation and FAST (Elkes’ own Faster Achievable Set-up Times - similar
to SMED).
TPM, working with these other initiatives, has helped to secure the following
benefits at Elkes:

0 engineering, maintenance and production working closer together to
resolve problems;
0 TPM used as a driver for problem solving and problem prevention;
0 more effective teamworking within and between departments;
0 improved quality and performance of machinery;
0 financial benefits through production line OEE improvements of 5 per
cent to 10 per cent, as a result of improved machine performance.
A small example of exactly how TPM affects life on the shopfloor: the in-
line creamer had a rather antiquated and inaccurate method of aerating the
cream in the biscuit sandwich. As a result of the application of TPM principles,
the system was changed, resulting in finite control of the process, improving
the biscuit quality and consistency, and making the operator’s life easier.
Before TPM we would identify problems but had no chance to do anything
about them. TPM is great because it gives us the time and opportunity to
make changes which last because we underpin the problem with effective
future asset care, best practice and single-point training.
The nine-step process gives a very structured and cohesive approach to
TPM which is both simple and thorough.

4.0 The future for TPM

Elkes takes TPM very seriously. It is currently used on the majority of lines at
the plant and there is a firm commitment to continue to roll it out plant-wide
over the next couple of years.
A key project for the immediate future will be the application of TPM to
the latest creams plant investment at Elkes where every piece of equipment
in the facility will be brand new, providing the perfect platform from which
to launch TPM.