http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp 123 editor@iaeme.com International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET) Volume 10, Issue 04, April 2019, pp.123-135. Article ID: IJMET_10_04_011 Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/ijmet/issues.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=10&IType=4 ISSN Print: 0976-6340 and ISSN Online: 0976-6359 © IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENT BY LEAGILE APPROACH Krishnamoorthy S Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India. Ben Ruben R Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India. ABSTRACT This research work is carried out in a air compressor manufacturing company which produces different models of air compressors. The work aim was to improve the productivity by reducing the total operating cycle time, unnecessary motions, material handling, and to create a standardized working environment. Two stations namely drive and lubrication assembly and testing were found out to be the bottleneck stations, and efforts are taken to improve its productivity. Kaizen’s were planned for improvement activities and were implemented subsequently. These improvement actions were based on Lean production organizational model and application of Lean tools. The current agility level of the firm was calculated and suggestions were given to improve the agility level of the firm. Keywords: Leagile, Testing, Kaizen, Agility Assessment, New Product Development. Cite this Article: Krishnamoorthy S and Ben Ruben R, Operational Improvement by Leagile Approach, International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, 10(4), 2019, pp. 123-135. http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/issues.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=10&IType=4 1. INTRODUCTION Lean manufacturing is focused on eliminating wastes in the entire manufacturing process. It deals with minimizing work -in progress, eliminating processes that do not add value to the product, making the process more flexible to make products of different design without changing the value of the product. Many manufacturing companies, historically, have been able to maintain bloated or inefficient methods because of a protected market, strong brand strength or huge profit margins. The global competition is forcing these manufactures to quickly change their methods to be less wasteful, and provide value to their customers through customization and reduced cycle or delivery times. There are five-key principles that must be followed to implement lean manufacturing successfully. They are,