An evaluation of TPM initiatives in Indian industry for enhanced manufacturing performance

TLDR

TPM implementation initiatives have strong potential to improve organizational performance. This study evaluates how TPM initiatives contribute to manufacturing performance in the Indian manufacturing industry. The authors surveyed many Indian manufacturing firms and applied statistical analyses to assess correlations between TPM implementation dimensions and performance improvements. The findings indicate that TPM success factors—particularly top‑management leadership, traditional maintenance practices, and holistic TPM initiatives—significantly enhance manufacturing performance, and that focused TPM implementation over time yields substantial gains, underscoring the need to align maintenance with broader quality initiatives.

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the contributions of total productive maintenance (TPM) initiatives towards improving manufacturing performance in Indian Manufacturing Industry. Design/methodology/approach In this study, a large number of manufacturing organizations have been extensively surveyed, to ascertain contributions made by TPM initiatives in the Indian manufacturing industries towards realizing manufacturing performance improvements. The correlations between various TPM implementation dimensions and manufacturing performance improvements have been evaluated and validated by employing various statistical tools. Findings The research focuses upon the significant contributions of TPM implementation success factors like top management leadership and involvement, traditional maintenance practices and holistic TPM implementation initiatives, towards affecting improvements in manufacturing performance in the Indian industry. The inter‐relationships between various TPM implementation success factors with the manufacturing performance improvement parameters have been evaluated, to efficiently manage the TPM implementation program to realize organizational objectives of growth and sustainability. Research limitations/implications The study establishes that focused TPM implementation over a reasonable time period can strategically contribute towards realization of significant manufacturing performance enhancements. Practical implications The study stresses upon the need for improving the synergy between maintenance function and other organizational quality improvement initiatives in the organizations, to establish maintenance as a competitive strategy for meeting the challenges of highly competitive environments. Originality/value The study highlights the strong potential of TPM implementation initiatives in affecting organizational performance improvements. The achievements of Indian manufacturing organizations through proactive TPM initiatives have been evaluated and critical TPM success factors identified for enhancing the effectiveness of TPM implementation programs in the Indian context.