The Czech Technical University in Prague and ABS Jets are implementing a training program on the principles of lean maintenance. “The concept of the Japanese Kaizen philosophy is one of restructuring and organizing every aspect of a system to ensure it remains at peak efficiency,” explains Thierry Barré, ABS Jets’ technical director. “The literal translation of the Japanese term ‘Kaizen’ is ‘to become good through change.’ The process of lean activities at ABS Jets will benefit our customers.”

The three-day program was followed by a “Kaizen Week”’ in cooperation with Embraer. “The original philosophy is actually focused on production rather than maintenance. As I familiarized myself with ABS Jets’s company policy and history, it became a challenge for me to participate in implementing a lean philosophy in a maintenance service center with the highest levels of standardization, regulations and quality,” said Doc. Eng. Michal Kavan CSc. of the University’s Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Management and Economics. “Now I see highly skilled people who want to change their approach to reach better results.”