Thomas & Betts LTd, Kecskemét, 27 April 2018

Thomas &Betts LTd is a OEM manufacturer of Electric lighting and wiring management for Industries.
− At their facility in Hungary, they manufacturer wire glands and lighting systems.
− Material flow from various suppliers to process of manufacturing and assembly was shown in detail.
− Various techniques for production such as TPM, KAN-BAN was explained according industry. And quality management techniques such as SWOT analysis, Bottle neck importance, Kaizen, SMED and exposure to industry 4.0.
− Press machines with injection molding with machine parameters.
− The plant is awarded four stars for quality and customer satisfaction compliance and major contribution from six sigma and SMED methods.
− The standards were well established with visual adherence of ISO 9001, 14001 and 28001.
It was very informative and good exposure to the present day industry scenario.
Bharath Kumar


On 27 April, we students of the 'Management for engineers' course had the opportunity to visit the Thomas & Betts LTd factory in Kecskemét.
I think it was a very useful visit, as it allowed us to see more closely the topics we have covered during the course and that today are the basis of most of the avant-garde companies.
The company immediately gave me a good impression, because everything was ready for our arrival; even having prepared a buffet demonstrates their professionalism and how much they hold to the image of the company in terms of advertising and brand.
During the initial ppt presentation, it immediately emerged how they try to use the tools of Lean Manufactoring and how they try to take this forward. Some key points of this managerial approach have been exposed, such as the production of the pull system type (produced on the customer's order, the warehouse is reduced to a minimum), the utmost attention to waste (in their case, their main problem is that of to reuse waste material), and other tools addressed in the course (Fishbone Diagram and for example also how production is managed based on statistical data) have been mentioned.
We then visited the plant, and here we were able to see what lean manufacturing means in concrete terms, for example:
• Absolutely clean and very neat workstations;
• Use of different colors to reorder the material and to organize the movement space;
• Alphanumeric codes and different colors on all the boxes in which the pieces are divided.
I think it was an interesting experience because it allowed us to see what lean manufacturing means, and how complicated it is to transfer it from books to reality. I also believe that for us mechanical engineers to develop these aspects is absolutely useful, because nowadays the skills required are increasingly specific and transversal.
MARIN LEONARDO 

The field trip which took place on 27/04/18 in Thomas Betts Ltd. located in Kecskemét has a significant impact on understanding of Lean Management. Thanks to the representatives of Thomas Betts Ltd I was able to see how methods of this management approach work at a real working place.
First of all, the presentation prepared by the staff Thomas Betts Ltd gave me a proper outlook on a company. It was interesting to see how people fully involved in all processes of a company see the work. I got acknowledged from the presentation about company’s products, organizational structure, its market location and customers as well as company’s priorities and strategies which are applied on daily basis. Moreover, the representative of Thomas Betts Ltd gave a very detailed feedback on all our questions related to a company.
Secondly, the assigned staff of Thomas Betts Ltd showed us the factory. Following this given opportunity I got a chance to see the workplace in real life observing the usage of the Lean Management tools. I saw the application of Kaizen system. For example, 5s which is a foundation of all improvements and it is the key component of establishing a Visual Workplace.  A 5 S program focuses on having visual order, organisation, cleanliness and standardisation. The results of applying I could see: identification of all details maintained in a particular order and in separate boxes guarantees a convenient proper working place. Also, I could see application of 8 Wastes of Lean Management. The working spaces are organized for trying to reach a minimum waste in Transport, Inventory, Motion, Waiting, Over Production, Over Processing, Defects, and Skills. Furthermore, all working places are provided with boards where you can see all essential information including numbers of orders and its level of preparation, production time, production plan, etc. There is also a space for discussion of current problems and sharing the ideas. I also payed attention on a company certification according to the international standards ISO 9001:2015 “Quality Management Systems”, ISO 14001:2015 “Environmental Management System ”, ISO 28001:2007 “Health and Safety”. 
As a conclusion, I would like to thanks all organizers for a received chance to get to know the company Thomas Betts Ltd. from inside and see application of the Lean Management tools. This field trip was very useful and illustrative for me: I observed many aspects of the Lean Management which we discussed in the class in a theory. I believe that such field trips are extremely important for education at a programme “Engineering Management” for broadening the perception on Management. 
Ekaterina Bukovneva


We assembled at the faculty and left at about 6:30 on Friday 27th April 2018 and arrived Thomas & betts gyarto kft, Kecskemet around 10:00 am. We were received by the company representatives and welcomed us on behalf of the management. We were given some brief introduction to the company and then took us round the company showing us one section and the next explaining various processes involved.
Thomas & Betts Gyarto Kft is a Member of the ABB Group. ABB is a leading power and automation technology group, active in more than 100 countries with about 140.000 employees worldwide.  Thomas & betts is a designer and manufacturer of connectors and components for electrical and communication markets. Their product offerings are Wire and cable management, cable protection system, power connection and control, Conduit & fittings, Explosion protective components & systems, Cable accessories and apparatus, etc. The company uses lean manufacturing to achieve improvements in productivity, quality, and lead-time by eliminating waste to provide the customer with a defect free product when it is needed, and, in the quantity, it is needed.
It was a good experience which provided us with more exposure into industry life in terms of technical details on how the various lean manufacturing tools are used to improve efficiency and productivity. In line with my course of study this visit helped me to see how the Pull manufacturing system which is based on customer demand uses production Kanban card that sends information for product to be replaced which reduces inventory level which is the Just in time process. Also, the use of 5S system which aids in organizing, cleaning, developing, and sustaining a productive work environment. Another tool which the company use is the One-Piece Flow or Continuous Flow concept which emphasises on reducing the batch size to eliminate system constraints in which products are produced by moving at a consistent pace from one value-added processing step to the next with no delays in between.
Some of the recommendations for the company are firstly, the company should adopt a push pull system where the initial stage operate in push system whose focus is to minimise cost by better utilisation resources such as production, distribution capabilities minimise inventory cost, transportation cost and production cost. The remaining stages employs a pull system which gives a shorter lead times achieved by deploying a flexible and responsive supply chain. Also the company can start producing new product to improve the company revenue.
In conclusion, while going through the entire industrial visit, the company is found to be very well organized, developed and most ideal industry in every walk of its production, administration & management aspects.
SAMUEL HILLARY


Thomas & Betts is a designer and manufacturer of connectors and components for electrical and communication markets, and as we visited it, my personal impression about that company is they are intensely focused on Innovation, Service and Quality and they created a culture where every employee shares the responsibility for customer satisfaction.
What I considered as useful for this trip and especially this company is the opportunity for us to see firsthand how in real life management is, and it caught my eyes how there is a specific areas highlighted with colors that allows everyone to know where should and shouldn’t walk, and the signs that tell what you should wear and where you should where a safety glass and such of a safety.
We can incorporate this trip with our study by linking the theoretical part of our curriculum with the reality (companies) that actually has it.
I will like to add that applying ISO 2004&2008 in the company along with Lean Management has a great effect as the presenter stated, and how he proudly said about No Accident happened for three years.
In T&B Company, every employee knows what he should do and how he should do it, with the help of colored labels and section numbers, and because every employee works in every production position as they change their work place every week and work in the next step of the production process that allows them to evaluate a complete and comprehend idea about the company goals and they work hand by hand.
Hayyan Boubou


Introduction: On April 27th, 2018 we visited Thomas &Betts LTd. in Kecskemét.
Linking between the study material in class and the practical application is the best way to teach and preparing your students for after graduation which is exactly what our professor (Dr, Matko Adrea) did by arranging this field trip for the Thomas &Betts LTd. in Kecskemét. As we arrived the company we were welcomed by the company’s representative in which he started with the safety induction then a brief information about the company and their way of conducting daily works and he quoted ‘’ Safety first and works comes afterword’s’’.
Then the company representative gave us a proper tour inside the company and showed us the process, products and the flow of work within the company and he answered every single question we asked with friendly face and as best as possible.
Key observations:
• Proper implementation of the lean management tools for a better organization and minimizing wastes as much as possible.
• A cellular manufacturing system is implemented in the company.
• Each cell is organized with lean tools in which they have a board for that which includes (Kanban, 5S and efficiency chart).
• All the machines were linked through a Andon system in the machine which send signals to stop the work if the waste level reached a specific limit.
• Product quality and service is company’s main concern and on some occasions 200% quality check, camera and visual on request from the Customer.
• And finally, the main sign of professionality was the use of different ISO standards in which were hanged in the working are to remind everyone of company’s mission and vision. The used standards were Quality ISO 9001, Environmental 14001 and Health and safety 28001
In conclusion I would say the trip was one of the best and most fruitful trip I have ever attended, the diversity of the group made me happy and find new friends, gain new experience, and seeing the practical implementation of the tools & materials we’ve being studying made the trip more exciting.
Frya Adil Namiq


Introduction
On the 27th of April, 2018 we visited Thomas and Betts Ltd. located at Kecskemét under the supervision of our professor Dr. Matko Andrea. 
We have been studying and learning about the theory of LEAN Manufacturing principles and its effectiveness in eliminating waste and increasing efficiency. But Practical implementation and experience is what solidify the foundations of theoretical knowledge. Therefore, the purpose of our visit was to observe the LEAN manufacturing system adopted by the company and learn how the concepts of LEAN manufacturing are practically implemented. 
The tour
We were warmly greeted at the entrance of the company and were taken inside where before proceeding with the tour each one of us was given a safety vest and safety goggles. Then we were lead to the briefing room where we were given safety instructions and a comprehensive introduction to the company. At the end of the briefing we were allowed to ask any questions that we had in our minds. We asked our questions and they were replied to with great patience and humility.
After the question and answer session we were divided in to three groups of seven students each and lead to the shop floor under the supervision of a company representative. Once again at the end of the shop floor visit we were lead to the briefing room and allowed to ask questions regarding what we had observed at the shop floor. 

Observations
•    The shop floor was divided in to three main areas: Warehouse, Molding Area and Assembly floor
•    The Warehouse was run using a KANBAN system with Kaizen at the heart of their day to day operations
•    The Assembly floor and the Molding area were organized in a cellular layout maximizing the product flow
•    Throughout the shop floor Kanban system was implemented in combination with efficiency charts.
•    Workers took the concept of 5S seriously
•    ANDON system was also implemented keeping the waste levels in and defects in check
•    Quality standard ISO 9001, Environmental standard ISO 14001, and health and Safety standard ISO 28001 were also implemented

Conclusion
The trip was successful with regards to the expectations we had from it and in many ways much more than it. Overall, it was a memorable and a fun filled trip with new experiences and memories for the future. 


The company since it’s being a part of parental organization which is Swedish-Swiss based demonstrated great level of dedication towards their quality and safety standards. First thing that took my attention that they provided us with goggles and yellow flashy jackets even before we entered the factory site. Second thing that they had clear rules of protection for each factory areas; injection and molding areas both require goggles while assembly area requires only a jacket.
Fairly speaking, above regulations are quite common for any medium size factory/company. However, their adaptation to lean management system was quite admirable considering even most of the larger companies lack when it comes to hands on action. Company hired a firm in order to check their production, their weak links, wastes and faults etc. Through this firm, company developed Kanban system which saved them from inventory crisis and general messiness. Cells were designed and changed into U cells and designated for certain number of operations, max 5 and certain number of operators max 2-something we can actually call Cell Manufacturing. Company also built a moderately developed quality control system, half machinery and half human but most importantly according to the company workers’ statements they always try to go back to the root cause of the problems when they face with one.
One last thing about the company that I personally liked that they actually set their manufacturing system based on pull system and their entire operation revolves around this. They don’t keep any extra raw material at the warehouse or finished good around-anything that is needed for a certain order they provide at that time and not before. Especially the finished goods, company loads every batch of finished goods into containers without keeping them in the warehouse or in a waiting area.
There is one down side that I observed which might be related to my lack of Hungarian language but the boards & papers on the production sites related to job processes, looked like should have been filled by employees, these were mainly empty. Additionally, we were only able to communicate with handful number of employees I couldn’t be sure if everyone in the production site actual knew what they were doing with this Kanban system or why.
My overall experience regarding to this trip was fruitful and I’m really glad to see the abstract system we always talk about during our classes in real life.
Zeynep Su Borahan
 

Last update: 2022. 07. 22. 13:39