Toshiba Corporation: The Quest for Quality

Mr. Yutaka Iino is part of the Management Innovation Division at the Toshiba Corporation in Tokyo, Japan. His mission is to develop the corporation's Six Sigma program throughout the Toshiba Group. Toshiba's vast array of products includes electric power systems, personal computers, semi-conductors and devices, software for business applications, elevators, medical equipment and systems, and home appliances.

Currently, Toshiba's primary Minitab users are the Black Belts and Six Sigma project leaders in both manufacturing and transactional areas. These Six Sigma experts use the software in all steps of the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) process, but mainly in the Analyze and Improve phases. "The DOE function in Minitab is quite powerful and the results can directly lead to great cost savings," said Mr. Iino. "Additionally, many of the graphical tools are convenient and useful."

"Minitab users are increasing day by day in the Toshiba Group. The reason why we had introduced Minitab to our Six Sigma program is that Minitab was quite applicable to Six Sigma projects as a standard tool, with the Six Sigma Module (from Six Sigma Academy) and some strong statistical and quality functions."