Towards the strategic adoption of Lean in aviation Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) industry

Abstract

Purpose -Despite many Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) organisations alluding their positive business performances to the adoption Lean initiatives, there is a paucity of direct literature that validates this assertion. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to study empirically via the use of an industry-wide survey to establish and extent of Lean adoption and to verify its suitability in mitigating prevalent MRO challenges. Design/methodology/approach -The empirical study contained in this paper is facilitated by an industry-wide survey to collect data from several firms across the MRO spectrum. The analysed responses from industry leaders, professionals and executives synthesised with existing literature was used in ascertaining the extent of Lean adoption within the operational framework of the industry. Findings -The empirical study helped in validating the suitability of Lean in MRO context. However, it was also observed that the focus of its application was skewed towards its production-orientated functions more than its service-orientated functions. Nonetheless, this paper presents results of the positive influence of Lean in MRO context. Research limitations/implications -This empirical study presented in this paper was carried out within a framework of key characteristics of operation. Although this approach is sufficient in assessing the industry's Lean status, further assessment can also be achieved within the context of relevant performance metrics which was not included in this paper. Practical implications -By exploring the industry's Lean status within the context of operational characteristics of operation, this study provides MRO practitioners with more awareness into some of the critical factors required for successful holistic Lean realisation. Social implications -The state-of-the-art of Lean within the aviation MRO context established through this research also contributes to the wider product-centric service environment by providing a platform that facilitates strategy development which ensures Lean success within this environment. Originality/value -Apart from validating the suitability of Lean in MRO contexts, by establishing the extent of Lean adoption within the context of the operational framework, this paper provides a clearer insight as to how successful Lean implementation can be achieved via a holistic implementation strategy balanced between the product-centric and service-centric aspects of the industry.

Indirect Procurement: A Literature Review and Study of Trends

“…Operations", tooling MRO is typically classified as strategically important, low-volume goods of any value that are used to maintain and upkeep the tools used to manufacture products (Ayeni, Ball, & Baines, 2016). If the company would abstain from making these purchases, significant problems may arise rapidly.…”

“…The most robust tooling MRO research is in the industries where downtime has a significantly negative impact on business performance, such as the aeronautical, defense, automotive, electronics, and petroleum industries(Rezaei Somarin, Asian, Jolai, & Chen, 2018). A strong majority of the current scholarly research focuses on the aerospace industry (e.g Ayeni et al, 2016;Palma-Mendoza & Neailey, 2015)…”

The implementation of a Lean Six Sigma framework to enhance operational performance in an MRO facility

“…Whilst the application of LSS in manufacturing and production environments is popular, its specific application in areas such as Maintenance Overhaul and Repair (MRO) functions and supply chain operations is less well advanced. A strong body of academic knowledge exists on the application of specific Lean implementations in MRO functions (De Jong & Beelearts van Blokland, 2016, Mathaisel, 2005Kumar, Sharma, & Agarwal, 2015and, Ayeni, Ball, & Baines, 2016. Likewise, the application of Six Sigma in MRO facilities has also gained significant attention especially through Jack Welch's work in driving forward Six Sigma as the key business improvement strategy whist at General Electric (Deshmukh & Chavan, 2012).…”

Improving die tooling properties by spraying TiC-Ti-Al and TiB2-Ti-Al electro-explosive coatings

“…Subsequent repairs are carried out locally only in wear spots with a minimum sampling, which reduces the amount of necessary materials for subsequent repairs [21]. There is the effect of increasing the durability of equipment after each repair, which leads to an even greater economic effect [22]. A group of Indian scientists led by Veeresh Nayak C [23][24][25] are studying various materials obtained by injection molding, as well as sintered materials, by the microwave method.…”