The 5S is a continuous improvement methodology started in Japan after World War II and dominated by Toyota. When transliterated from the original Japanese, 5S mean sort, set in order, shine, standardize and maintain discipline.

Red Label Strategy takes place in the first stage, or qualifying and in any 5S implementation. Its effects are seen immediately in any installation with minimal or no cost, which helps improve inventory reduction, administrative efficiency and increase productivity at all times.

One reason this strategy is so important is that workers tend to “Custom” or link to tools and equipment. They often have a hard time determining what is necessary for the product production cycle and what is not. There is a natural tendency to want tools and other equipment nearby “just in case.”

Another reason is that some manufacturing facilities or plants have existed for a long time; Some may be 100 years old or older. If multiple shifts for many years, and many workers during that time, different people may cling to different items. Buildup can happen quickly or slowly over a long period of time, but it does happen.

The Japanese word for “red” is “dirt”. Remove dirt from a factory support for various reasons (some obvious) but in this sense, is to classify and remove unnecessary items. Red labels are easily noticed, such as stop signs, and help employees realize how much clutter can accumulate and how much space is wasted time.

Duty stations in the factory for this aspect of sorting include inventory, machinery and equipment, and general space such as floors and shelving. Establish criteria prior to implementation of the process, and then fill in the appropriate label for inventory purposes, or the item is simply thrown away.

Like spring and fall cleaning, a good Red Tag Strategy launch no less than twice a year, and the best application will be permanent. The duration of one to two months depending on how many campaign projects have already been launched. Red labels must be placed by workers outside their usual departments, to have a fresh view of an area and do not have personal ties with those tools and specific equipment.