‘Such cost-cutting practices as lean production, kaizen, or ISO management do not work effectively in isolation. This is why no company using the system can implement it in its full format,’ Evgeniy Shchepetov, Deputy Business Process Re-engineering Director of Kamensk Uralskiy Metallurgical Plant, said to UrBC representative.

‘One often hears of companies who have successfully used Toyota’s strategies in Russia. I personally think this isn’t feasible, as this car maker’s experience is unique. If a business wants to cut its production costs, it is better off trying to come up with its own way rather than using some other company’s methods,’ Mr Shchepetov said.