5 Pillars of the Visual Workplace: The Sourcebook for 5S Implementation (For Your Organization!) [Hardcover]

Hiroyuki Hirano (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1563270471 | ISBN-13: 978-1563270475 | Publication Date: January 1, 1995 | Edition: 1

Increase Profitability and Decrease Liability with 5S

 A criticalyet often overlooked area in the visual workplace is the concept of continuous improvement. In this important work, JIT expert Hiroyuki Hirano introduces his 5S System: Sort, Set In Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain. These steps are designed to improve efficiency, strengthen maintenance, and provide continuous improvement in all facets of a company’s operations. Addressing the skepticism of executives who deride the 5S System for its simplicity, the author, revered for his no-nonsense approach, warns of disastrous consequences for companies that fail to recognize its value; if they cannot successfully implement 5S, there is little hope of integrating large-scale changes such as JIT or re-engineering.

Presented in a thorough, detailed style, 5 Pillars of the Visual Workplace explains why the 5S's are so important, as well as the nuts- and-bolts of 5S implementation. Filled with numerous case studies, hundreds of graphic illustrations, and training materials, including over forty 5S user forms, this volume is a must-have guide for organizations seeking to thrive.

To introduce the 5S system and sell its use to executives as well as workers, consider purchasing—

5S System: An Introduction DVD Catalog no. PP5934,

Adhering to the principle of efficiency that defines this revolutionary and proven system, this video succinctly explains what is involved, who should participate, and what it will take to get started.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Japanese

Product Details

• Hardcover: 353 pages
• Publisher: Productivity Press; 1 edition (January 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563270471
• ISBN-13: 978-1563270475
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #220,586 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #71 in Books > Business & Investing > Industries & Professions > Industrial Relations

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The 5S's (Pillars) really work!, March 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: 5 Pillars of the Visual Workplace: The Sourcebook for 5S Implementation (For Your Organization!) (Hardcover)

The 5 Pillars described in this book are the 5S's derived from the Toyota Production System. Are: Organization, Orderliness, Cleanliness, Organized Cleanup and Discipline. The 5S's help lay a solid foundation for the implementation of the Just in Time system in any plant.

The book talks about a step by step procedure for implementing this productivity improvement tool in any organization. This tool is highly effective in something as simple as an office area to something as complex as a Nuclear power plant. We realized an improvement of 11% in productivity at our manufacturing facility and has helped us increase the morale of the workers substantially.

The chapters could have been put in a better order as one needs to jump from one chapter to the other for simple references. It covers all the details in depth, but is not put in the best possible manner.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Readable and practical book, December 4, 2005

By 

E. Husman "ehusman" (Las Cruces, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 5 Pillars of the Visual Workplace: The Sourcebook for 5S Implementation (For Your Organization!) (Hardcover)

I checked this out from the library and read it in one day (I didn't do anything else all day, and I'm a fast reader). Hirano's style is very educational: he resorts to humor, he states his biases clearly, he details step-by-step instructions, he warns about pitfalls, he gives his own insight on overcoming those pitfalls. He walks the walk: the only photo of him in the book is of him cleaning the floor in a factory.

For anyone already familiar with Lean Principles, the focus of this book is 5S, of which the English translation is approximately Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize, Sustain. However, Hirano never or rarely uses those, preferring instead to use more accurate (but less alliterative) words like, Organization, Orderliness, Cleanliness, Standardized Cleanup, and Discipline. He explains strategies for starting and for sustaining these "pillars", such as a ruthless red-tag campaign to initiate organization, signboards to maintain orderliness, and 5S patrols to maintain cleanliness and to improve on what already exists. He includes sample forms and kick-off campaign letters.

Best of all, this book shows how 5S is the basis for all other Lean Principles, such as reducing muda and improving throughput. A fantastic resource that I know I will be using over and over.

13 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding resource for getting organized, October 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: 5 Pillars of the Visual Workplace: The Sourcebook for 5S Implementation (For Your Organization!) (Hardcover)

Five Pillars is an outstanding resource for companies that are looking to implemenet JIT. The first step to any Continuous Improvement program is 5S! Hiroyuki Hirano brings practical experience to the manufacturing arena. His approach is no-nonsense and is an invaluable tool that will help your Continuous Improvement Teams to accomplish more. This is definitely a "MUST READ" for anyone who is seriously considering JIT / Continuous Improvement.