A Hybrid Lean–QMS Framework for Enhancing Operational Efficiency and Waste Minimization in the Automotive and Auto Components Sectors

The automotive and auto parts sector is working under the increasing pressure to increase the efficiency of their operations, minimize waste and always deliver quality in the world. The traditional improvement systems, Lean Manufacturing and Quality Management Systems (QMS), tend to be implemented separately thus creating inefficiencies, redundancies, and non-standard results. The proposed Hybrid Lean-QMS Framework is a combination of Lean methods, including Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Kaizen, 5S, and Just-in-Time with the formal QMS standards like ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 to develop an integrated and sustainable model of operational excellence. The paper evaluates the challenges in the industry, the main sources of waste in the industry, and the performance metrics that include cycle time, defect rate, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). The recent literature (2020-2024) confirms the need of integrated improvement models that can help to deal with the existing complexities in the market. The study concludes that Hybrid Lean-QMS Framework had a great potential to decrease the amount of waste, standardization, enhance quality, and competitiveness in car industries.
Keywords: Quality Management System (QMS), Hybrid Lean–QMS Framework, Automotive Industry, Auto Components Sector, Waste Reduction