Implementation of efficiency measures in Russian Helicopters' industrial enterprises is beginning to save the corporation money in the production process.
The company, part of State Corporation Rostec, said its "lean technology" project, instituted by way of pilot programs, resulted in about $1.53 million in reduced costs last year.
"Lean technology is a strategy that minimizes the volume of energy and material losses in the production process," the company said. "Efficiency and economy in production are two of the key strategies aiming to reduce outlays."
Lean technology pilot projects are underway at all of Russian Helicopter's facilities in the country, which are comprised of five helicopter production facilities, two design bureaus, a spare parts production and repair facility, and an aftersale service branch.
Lean projects are underway in virtually all Russian Helicopters' enterprises. At its Rostvertol facility for production of military and civilian helicopters, the lean technology group has implemented several projects since 2011 to better organize the workplace, reducing time taken in equipment changeovers, scheduling production and procurement, in maintaining and improving equipment and identifying flaws early.
The result was reduced material and labor input in production, and increased energy efficiency.
The company's Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant is currently implementing similar projects, including one to establish an efficient production system at the external fuel tank assembly site. The time to produce a fuel tank at the facility has now dropped from 113 production hours to 85 hours.
"Overall, in 2013 alone, over 800 new pieces of equipment were installed across Russian Helicopters enterprises," the company said. "Russian Helicopters must achieve an energy saving of 40 percent on 2010 levels by 2020 by implementing lean technology projects and energy saving initiatives."
