Lean implementation within South African aircraft maintenance organisations

Abstract

Globally, the implementation of Lean techniques has proven to be successful in improving quality while reducing turnaround times and costs within aircraft maintenance organisations (AMOs), including those organisations that are of a competitive threat to South African companies. Limited research has been conducted on Lean implementation in South African AMOs, leading to the motivation for this study: to determine the status of Lean implementation within South African AMOs. Quantitative and qualitative data were derived from interviews with senior management from a sample of Gauteng-based organisations. The results provided an indication of both their understanding and the status of Lean within their organisations.