The most recent workshop from the ‘Technology Forum 2015’ by Apparel Resources, successfully took place on 25th-26th July 2015 at the Apparel Resources office in New Delhi, India. The workshop, conducted by Chandrark Karekatti, Head Projects and Training – Apparel Resources, took up this time Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) – a relatively less explored topic for the apparel manufacturing fraternity. The workshop hosted representatives from KAS Business Consulting, Tynor Orthotics, and Marubeni.
The 2-day workshop, designed to be a one-of-a-kind experience, elucidated how TPM can be implemented in apparel business by giving the attendees a handson experience of the concept. Important fundamentals of maintenance, like workplace management, and preventive and predictive maintenance were discussed at length. To give a better insight into the causes of breakdowns, the concept of forced and natural deterioration of machines was also explained to the core. The participants were involved in ‘Do It Yourself’ (DIY) exercises with sewing machines like SNLS and overlock, to help them understand concepts like Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA), Autonomous Maintenance, Poka-Yoke, and Kaizen. The main emphasis of the activity was on discovering and analyzing the potential failure modes of machines, making the operator responsible for his/her machine’s maintenance, making error-proof processes, and bringing continuous improvements in processes. The participants were also given a practical experience of using the Red and the Blue Tags, which form the initial steps to implementing TPM. Team work, a very important concept required to implement TPM, was explained to them through simple and interesting games which also kept the participants pepped up.
With stories from his own experience of implementing TPM in apparel manufacturing factories, Chandrark’s presentation on the topic urged the participants to interact and resolve maintenancerelated issues and reservations faced by them. The discussion was further supplemented by case studies and videos.
Although TPM is a niche concept, the participants came prepared with their interests and stakes for the workshop as most of them are looking at adopting new methods to attract international buyers and reduce machine downtime. Marubeni, a Japanese buying and sourcing company, already has plans of TPM implementation at the premises of their suppliers. Attending the workshop for such dedicated requirements, the participants appreciated the avenue of learning and applications now open to them post-workshop. “TPM is essential to becoming a system-oriented manufacturer. The workshop was a great top up to my knowledge,” shared Sumit Sisodiya from Marubeni. As the participants were quite engrossed with the curriculum, which provided an in-depth understanding on TPM (from Alpha to Omega of it), their exuberance and countenance was a token of proof of how enriching the workshop was.
The ‘Technology Forum 2015’ is a part of the workshop series initiated by Apparel Resources that addresses key challenges for the apparel industry. Moving from the ‘I know it all’ stance to learning with experts through knowledge sharing, especially on Saturdays and Sundays, speaks volumes about the positive transition underway in the attitude of the industry.
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