Lean Six Sigma Supports Joint Venture ...

Adam Cort explores the success of Lean Six Sigma at an exemplary plant in the UK ...

... "Then came CAT's 2001 Six Sigma initiative, whereby the company mandated that operations worldwide would adopt the methodology. According to Clark, Six Sigma helped Perkins Shibaura focus its quality efforts. " ...

Lean Six Sigma Supports Joint Venture: Via ASSEMBLY: Crossroads in the UK ...

Perkins and Japanese manufacturer Ishikawajima Shibaura machinery, Ltd. (ISM) launched a joint venture company, Perkins Shibaura Engines, Ltd., and a manufacturing facility in 1996 adjacent to the Perkins manufacturing plant in Peterborough, UK. The original product was the Perkins 100 Series engine. ISM has been manufacturing agricultural equipment and engines since the 1940s and is one of Japan's leading suppliers of small engines and tractors. ISM is part of Ishikawajima Harima Industries - (IHI), one of Japan's largest industrial companies.

Perkins Engines is a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. and the world's leading supplier of off-highway diesel and gas engines in the 4 - 2000 kW (5 - 2600 hp) market. Perkins' key strength is its ability to tailor engines precisely to meet customers' requirements. More than 300,000 engines are manufactured every year -- that's one every minute -- to 21,000 different specifications. For more than 75 years Caterpillar Inc. has been building the world's infrastructure and, in partnership with its worldwide dealer network, is driving positive and sustainable change in every continent. With 2002 sales and revenues of $20.15 billion, Caterpillar is a technology leader and the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines.