Implementation of total productive maintenance in support of an established total quality programme

Total productive maintenance (TPM) is increasingly being seen as a suitable initiative/technique for effectively involving the workforce in manufacturing based organizations to produce increased productivity and add new impetus to total quality (TQ) efforts. This paper discusses in detail how TPM can be effectively implemented within an organization that has an established TQ programme in place. The relationship between total quality management and TPM is investigated with regard to improving the synergy between the initiatives and the effectiveness of each respectively. The benefits of applying TPM are shown and an implementation strategy is described. Case study data on Harris Ireland Ltd (part of the Harris Corporation) are analyzed and discussed in detail. The data include questionnaire and interview data. Comparison is also made with TPM implementation in NEC Semiconductor Ireland Ltd and Short Bros pic (part of the Bombardier Aerospace Group). The paper also shows how TPM implementation in Harris has been driven by the results of Baldrige-based audits.