Excellence in 5S by companies rewarded with Taiki Akimoto Award

By Cheranka Mendis

Japan Sri Lanka Technical and Cultural Association (JASTECA) on Friday awarded the coveted Taiki Akimoto 5S Award to Ceylon Pencil Company (Pvt) Ltd who also bagged the award for winning the large scale manufacturing sector award.

The undisputed leader in stationary, Ceylon Pencil Company emerged champion from 95 companies that applied for the award. Coming in second was Elastomeric Engineering Co Ltd, Horana and third was Wijeya Newspapers Ltd, Hokandara. Wijeya Newspapers also bagged the prize for small scale company in the manufacturing sector.

In its 14th year, the competition has grown vastly during the past few years, Chairman of 5S Committee Gamini Marambe said. He asserted that the event has grown from 18 participants in 2008 to 47 in 2009 and 95 in 2010 which includes institutions and companies from the North and East as well.

 “We revised the scheme and has discussed to give awards under three categories large, medium and small in the sectoral awards awarded to the trade and service sector, manufacturing sector, banking sector and telecommunication sector,” Marambe said, “we received 76 applications for the small category, ten for medium and nine for large.”

 “Avery high level of 5S competition was observed this year and was given after taking to account carious factors such as sustainability, employment management and implementation,” he said. The 5S performances in Sri Lanka have today reached international standards and by applying this to other companies and organizations the country could easily achieve the economic standard targeted.

General Manager of The Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS) New Delhi Yasumi Suzuki who was also present at the event commented that as the main body that initiated JASTEC, AOTS has seen Sri Lanka grow in adopting the 5S standard and has become a premier leader in the region. He outlined that applying the 5S theory to practicality is a simple practice, one that should start from home. “It has been acknowledged from a personal experience that 5S practice at home could cut down household expenditure by 30 per cent per month. Through the systematic management cutting down on the said cost was 30 per cent increase in purchasing parity,” Suzuki addressed.

“This could be addressed to other areas as well. It is a very important effective working activity.”

On using 5S for successful development, Chief Guest for the event and Managing Director MAS Intimates Dian Gomes who in 1996, 1997 and 2000 led three teams (two from Slimline and one from Leisureline) to win the coveted title noted that MAS has prospered and developed thanks to the 5S knowledge they gained. “We have taken it to 34 plants in MAS and this means skillful integration of work. We encourage students and others to come and see our plants as we believe implementation of this has doubled our efficiency.” He claimed that the Kuliyapitiya Convent who previously won an award at the Taiki Akimoto Competition was a product that was assisted by the company. “The lead journey started with 5S,” Gomes said.

Sri Lanka Army’s Ranaviru Apparels won a special award of excellence along with Ceylon Electricity Board’s consumer service centre in Lindula.

Ranaviru Apparel which got a standing ovation was said to be the largest self financing rehabilitation centre in Sri Lanka which is not dependant on donations.

Aimed at empowering the differently able soldiers both on a psychological and a skill level, the Apparel produces garments of international standards.

While 5S knowledge is  given to soldiers it is also given to their family members.

Wijeya Newspapers wins

Wijeya Newspapers Limited on Friday bagged two awards at the coveted Taiki Akimoto 5S Awards Organised by the Japan Sri Lanka Technical and Cultural Association (JASTECA). Here, Assistant General Manager Hokandara Press Complex of Wijeya Newspapers Ltd., Janaka Rathnakumara receives the overall second runner up trophy from Managing Director MAS Intimates Dian Gomes while the President of JASTECA Mahinda Saranapala and Chairman of 5S Committee Gamini Marambe look on.  Manager of Hokandara Press Athula Dassanayake (right) is also present.  (Inset) Wijeya Newspapers Ltd, Hokandara also won the award for manufacturing sector in the small category. Here representatives from Wijeya receive the award from Minister K. Shimazaki Embassy of Japan while President of JASTECA Mahinda Saranapala and Chairman of 5S Committee Gamini Marambe look on - Pix by Upul Abayasekara