Global KAIZEN? Award 6th Edition: SUZUKI Motor de Colombia

Suzuki Motor de Colombia: Quality Circles Drive Excellence to 3rd Place at Global KAIZEN? Awards

At the 6th Edition of the Global KAIZEN? Award, held in S?o Paulo, Suzuki Motor de Colombia S.A proudly earned 3rd Place for their transformative Quality Circles Initiative. Established in 1982, the company has been a leader in motorcycle production in Latin America, meeting growing demand for efficient and economical transportation. Their innovative approach to engaging employees in Continuous Improvement delivered exceptional results in productivity, sustainability, and teamwork, solidifying their position as a model of KAIZEN? excellence.

What Made Suzuki Motor de Colombia Stand Out?

1. Quality Circles Initiative: A Culture of Continuous Improvement

Suzuki Motor De Colombia’s Quality Circles Initiative was a comprehensive program that encouraged employees at every level—operational, administrative, and strategic—to actively participate in solving problems and improving processes. This initiative aimed to foster collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to excellence.

2. Structured Five-Stage Process

The initiative followed a well-defined five-stage approach:

• Expectation Campaigns: Built excitement and engagement across the organization.
• Team Formation: Created cross-functional teams with unique identities to strengthen collaboration.
• Training and Analysis Tools: Provided employees with tools like brainstorming, Gemba walks, and Pareto analysis for identifying and addressing root causes.
• Idea Development: Encouraged innovative problem-solving and practical implementation of solutions.
• Recognition and Awards: Celebrated achievements to motivate and inspire teams.

3. Outstanding Results Across Key Metrics

The Quality Circles Initiative delivered impressive outcomes:

• A 77% reduction in account balancing time, equating to 5 additional production days annually.
• An 80% decrease in maintenance costs on the motorcycle assembly line.
• A 41% reduction in color changes in painting processes, saving 3,54 man-hours and USD 54,000 annually while reducing CO? emissions by 6.5 tons.

4. Future collaboration with suppliers and stakeholders

Suzuki Motor de Colombia will extend its KAIZEN? principles to its value chain by involving suppliers in its improvement initiatives. This collaboration will strengthen supplier relationships, improve processes and create additional value for customers.

5. Sustainability and Safety as Priorities

The initiative placed a strong emphasis on environmental impact and workplace safety. Process improvements significantly reduced CO? emissions and enhanced operational efficiency, aligning with Suzuki Motor de Colombia’s commitment to sustainability and responsible manufacturing.

Learnings for Other Companies

1. Employee Engagement is Key

Involving employees from all organizational levels fosters ownership, creativity, and collaboration. Comprehensive training and recognition programs like Suzuki Motor de Colombia’s Quality Circles can unlock the full potential of teams.

2. Use Structured Problem-Solving Tools

Applying tools like Gemba walks, brainstorming, and Pareto analysis helps organizations effectively identify root causes and implement impactful solutions.

3. Extend KAIZEN? to the Value Chain

Collaborating with suppliers and stakeholders ensures that the benefits of Continuous Improvement extend beyond the organization, creating a ripple effect of value and efficiency.

4. Sustainability is Part of Excellence

Operational improvements and sustainability can go hand in hand. SMDC’s efforts to reduce CO? emissions demonstrate how KAIZEN? can support environmental goals while driving business success.

5. Celebrate Success to Build Momentum

Recognizing and rewarding contributions motivates employees, reinforces a culture of improvement, and encourages sustained efforts toward excellence.

Conclusion

Suzuki Motor de Colombia’s recognition at the Global KAIZEN? Award reflects their dedication to innovation, teamwork, and sustainability. Their Quality Circles Initiative serves as a shining example of how engaging employees and applying KAIZEN? principles can lead to remarkable results.

Congratulations to the entire SUZUKI Motor de Colombia team, including Claudia Loaiza, Natalia Buritica Osorio, Jhon Jairo Bermúdez Meza, Juan José Orozco Valencia, Kenji Shimabara, and Suzuki Mitsuhiro.