Title: Applying lean practices in vehicle maintenance services at Massy Motors in Trinidad and Tobago

Authors: Kuldeep Ojha; Keeon Rodney

Addresses: Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago ' Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract: Massy Motors Limited is a major local car dealership at Trinidad and Tobago. The aim of this research work is to evaluate maintenance services at Massy Motors Limited by identifying the waste/non-value adding activities which may be present and recommend lean practices to help the organisation optimise its performance. Critical analysis of functioning was done to develop current state value stream map (CSVSM) for maintenance services in company. Waste present were identified in maintenance process and lean strategies were recommended to alleviate them. Future state value stream map (FSVSM) was created to show the impact of recommendations. FSVSM showed a reduction of lead time 26.05 hours. Value-added time in the maintenance value streams went from 6% in the CSVSM to 12% in the FSVSM which is also doubled the current value-added time. Validation for the recommendations was done by having the stakeholders of Massy Motors asses the suggestions. Stakeholders confirmed the feasibility and impact of the findings of research work.

Keywords: lean practices; waste; value-adding activities; process improvement; maintenance; value stream; current state value stream map; CSVSM; future state value stream map; FSVSM; Trinidad and Tobago.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSEM.2024.139653

International Journal of Services, Economics and Management, 2024 Vol.15 No.4, pp.402 - 435

Received: 12 Oct 2022
Accepted: 17 Mar 2023
Published online: 05 Jul 2024 *

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