A professor of Waseda University conducted Kaizen seminar, a workshop in the field of Japanese production management in Saudi Electronics & Home Appliances Institute (SEHAI) Diraiyah campus. The participants were mainly from SEHAI Saudi Working Group of companies, which employ SEHAI trainees, like Al Essa Group (Hitachi), Almarai, Modern Electronics (Sony), Zagzoog for Home Appliances (Fujitsu General) and Ahmed Zainy Electric & Air Conditioning (Daikin). Excellent SEHAI trainees and staff from Mitsubishi Electric Saudi, High Institute for Plastic Fabrication (HIPF) and other institutes were present. The word Kaizen can be translated into improvement in Japanese. “Japanese production systems are characterized by KAIZEN work activity which is literally means a continuous improvement,” said Prof. Fujita, who conducted the seminar. “When a problem is recognized on quality, cost and delivery, a corrective action is taken for improvement. This feedback action is called ‘Kaizen'. Compared with an innovation, the Kaizen is a relatively small work improvement change. No significant expenditure is normally encountered.” Dr. Fujita feels that a foundation of modern production management techniques such as 5S, JIT (just-in-time) and TQM is Kaizen. His message is “Why not implement Kaizen activities in your company?” SEHAI is a joint project which symbolizes a strategic partnership between the Kingdom and Japan. A two-year course provided by SEHAI has been contributing to the development of human resources in the Kingdom and to the creation of employment among Saudi youth. – SG
