Six Sigma in the Manufacturing Industry

Evidence of Six Sigma principles dates back as far as the 1800s when normal distributions were first being introduced by Friedrich Gauss. Since then, Six Sigma has evolved and been documented into the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) methodology that is used today. Each stage in the DMAIC methodology serves a unique purpose, and various tools have been developed to accomplish each stage’s goal. The manufacturing industry has developed its own more specified set of methods and tools that have been coined as Lean Six Sigma. The more notable Lean Six Sigma principles are TIMWOOD, SMED, and 5S.

As a case study, DMAIC methodology was used at a company that encourages Six Sigma in all its departments—Niagara Bottling. Ultimately, the company was able to cut its financial losses in fines from customers by over 15% in just a 12-week span by utilizing Six Sigma. In this, the importance of instilling an entire culture of Six Sigma is exemplified. When only a handful of team members are on board with the problem-solving mindset, it is significantly more difficult to see substantial improvements.