TITLE:
Productivity Infrastructure in Security Printing: A Lean Manufacturing Approach
AUTHORS:
Enock Philani Mtshali, Nita Sukdeo, Victor Mofokeng, Kgashane Stephen Nyakala
KEYWORDS:
Lithographic Printing, Lean Manufacturing, Productivity, Quality, Security Printing
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Industrial and Business Management,
Vol.15 No.12,
December
31,
2025
ABSTRACT: This paper has identified lean manufacturing techniques that contribute to improved productivity in security printing. Equipment efficiency for lithographic printing, directly influences productivity of a security printing department’s processes and lean techniques such as Single Minute Exchange of Die (SMED) and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) were found to be capable of improving productivity. Regression results revealed a significant relationship (p = 0.028) between Q28_19 (Use of latest printing technology) and Q13 (printing machines operating at optimum level). Adopting the latest printing technology could improve changeover time during printing, ensuring that machines are operated optimally. The dataset used in this research was obtained from a quantitative data collecting process based on questionnaires from respondents selected using convenience sampling. Collected data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The study demonstrated the impact of lean tools, principles and activities on the performance of printing machines, bearing an influence on overall productivity of the printing department. The study further explained the significance of the relationship between lean activities and the level at which machines operate.