Application of Six Sigma in Clothing SMEs: A case study

Abstract

The Six Sigma approach aims to improve the quality of products in order to ensure the customers satisfaction. It focuses on the improvement of the quality by reducing of process variation in order to improve its efficiency. Small- and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) face several quality problems in progress or in the end of the work process. Few studies have been reported about the application of Six Sigma in SME. The purpose of this paper is to propose a new model based on the integration of Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control (DMAIC) and Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) approach in order to improve the effectiveness of the Six Sigma structure in solving quality problem in clothing SMEs. An example is given to illustrate the application of the proposed model to fix the parameters of a laying carriage in order to minimize tissue cutting defect