Judith Phiri, Zimpapers Business Hub THE Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) has reintroduced the lean manufacturing/management initiative, as part of efforts to help companies improve key performance areas to drive enterprise-level competitiveness. Lean manufacturing/management is a business philosophy focused on maximising value for the customer while minimising waste and inefficiencies in production processes. The concept aims to improve productivity, quality, and lead times by identifying and eliminating various forms of waste, such as defects, overproduction, waiting and unnecessary motion. This approach involves a systematic analysis of all aspects of a manufacturing process, from product design to final delivery and encourages continuous improvement through employee involvement. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the influential industrial lobby group said it reintroduced the initiative on Friday when it hosted the introductory session. “Mr Masashi Nomoto, Kaizen Senior Expert at Toyota Connected Corporation, shared some key principles and insights. “These generated a vibrant question-and-answer session as manufacturing practitioners reflected on their current practices and challenges,” said CZI. The Kaizen timeless principles, CZI said, were the centre of most of the discussion, with automation and standardisation particularly useful where manual processes dominate and consistency is needed. CZI said the bottom-up problem-solving initiative empowers frontline workers to identify and address inefficiencies within their control, while a focus on controlling what is within reach was relevant in resource-constrained environments. “The session attracted over 60 participants from across the sector, including executives, plant managers, engineers, supervisors and operations professionals. “This represents an appetite for structured continuous improvement approaches in the local industry and we look forward to supporting our members to broaden and deepen this through the provision of expert assistance and building a community of practice.” CZI said one highlight was the journey of Toyota Motor Corporation since its founding in 1937 through diversification and pivots over the years and the rise of its subsidiary Toyota Connected, which is the company’s pivot into the digital transition and artificial intelligence (AI). This comes at a time when the motor vehicle industry in Zimbabwe is characterised by a mixed structure that entails local assembly and imports amid growing emphasis on local manufacturing. While Zimbabwe has few vehicle assembly plants, the industry faces challenges related to limited capacity, reliance on imported vehicles and the need to boost local production. However, the country’s motor vehicle industry is poised for a significant boost, with key stakeholders and Government officials laying out ambitious plans to bolster local production and reduce dependency on imported vehicles. The African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM), in collaboration with local firms, has expressed interest in revitalising the country’s motor industry. In March this year, AAAM chief executive officer, Mr Dave Coffey, emphasised the potential for growth despite current challenges, affirming their goal to harmonise resources for the development of Zimbabwe’s car value chains. During a meeting with Government representatives, the delegation highlighted the need for strategic investments and joint ventures to foster long-term gains. Meanwhile, with Zimbabwe home to Africa’s largest and the world’s sixth-largest lithium reserves, economists have said this strategically positions the country to exploit the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for maximum benefit of its automobile industry. Given Zimbabwe’s past as a major player in the automobile industry, through Willowvale and Amalgamated Vehicle Motors (AVM) companies, various investors have been exploring ways to unlock the vast potential in the industry through creating synergies with other African countries.