5S at Truck Dealers and Workshops
Truck dealerships and workshops are a dynamic environment where speed, safety and customer focus are key. Applying the 5S method (Separate, Clean, Arrange, Standardize and Maintain) helps truck dealers and service workshops to work in a structured, safe and professional manner. This leads to less waste, higher customer satisfaction and more efficient use of people and resources.
Why 5S at truck dealerships and workshops?
- Being able to find tools and parts faster
- Fewer errors during maintenance or repairs
- Professional image towards customers and manufacturers
- Increased safety in the workshop and warehouse
- Better use of workstations, lifts and storage space
We have experience with 5S implementations at various truck dealers and service partners of such as. DAF, IVECO, Volvo Trucks and Thermoking. Also within the earth-moving and excavation industry (such as at Caterpillar), 5S has been successfully applied to optimize workshops, warehouses and mechanic logistics.
See here a description of 5S rollout at a Volvo dealership
See a description of 5S rollout at Thermoking here
See here a description of 5S rollout at a DAF dealership
Practical 5S examples in the trucking industry
Workshop
- Sort: Only the most frequently used tools remain at the workplace, others in central storage.
- Shine: Daily cleaning rounds per workstation with visual cleaning lists.
- Set in order: Workstations set up with shadow boards and colored areas by activity.
- Standardize: One fixed structure of workstations so that mechanics can be flexibly deployed among themselves.
- Sustain: Team meetings with 5S checks and monthly audits provide assurance.
Warehouse
- Sort: Obsolete or unused components are labeled and phased out.
- Shine: Fixed times for cleaning and checks for faulty storage.
- Set in order: Parts sorted by frequency of use and visual areas by make/type of truck.
- Standardize: Uniform layout of shelves and locations linked to ERP system.
- Sustain: Warehouse manager monitors via daily walk route and stock check.
Front desk and customer reception
- Sort: Only current forms, instructions and brochures available.
- Shine: Hospitable appearance through set cleanup times and cleaning list.
- Set in order: Clear signing and waiting area with logical routing for customer and driver. Keys are visually immediately visible.
- Standardize: Desk routine and transfer forms visualized for uniformity.
- Sustain: Weekly inspections and improvement ideas from employees and customers.
Practical experiences
At several truck dealerships, we see that 5S leads to faster turnaround times, less searching, and less frustration for mechanics and customers. For example, at Bluekens Truck and Bus in Breda or Baker commercial vehicles and Thermo King Transport Refrigeration the 5S approach was implemented step by step, with clear improvement signs, engaged teams and visually designed workstations. This approach is proving to be easily scalable to other sites.
Getting started with 5S in your workshop or dealer network?
Do you also want more control over order, safety and efficiency in your workshop or warehouse? Get in touch with our specialists and discover how 5S helps your organization grow.
