Home Cases Shin-Etsu Silicones: IATF 16949 implementation
Challenge

Challenge

Implementing IATF 16949 without in-house knowledge

Approach

Approach

Process documentation, LeanForms and Power BI dashboard

Result

Result

IATF 16949 certified

About Shin-Etsu

Shin-Etsu Silicones Europe has been active in the Netherlands since 1949 and is part of the Japanese Shin-Etsu Chemical, the global market leader in PVC. From Almere, the company produces sealing materials for the automotive industry. Customers are Tier 1 suppliers who deliver directly to OEMs such as Toyota and Volkswagen. The collaboration with Symbol has been ongoing for several years: various consultants have worked for Shin-Etsu on a wide range of quality and process improvement projects.

The problem

A customer asked Shin-Etsu to start working in accordance with IATF 16949. As a Tier 2 supplier to the automotive chain, certification was not a requirement, but saying ‘no’ to a customer was not an option. The problem: the knowledge to independently guide an IATF 16949 implementation was not present within the organisation.
At the same time, there were broader areas for improvement. Work instructions were still maintained in Excel, KPIs were difficult to manage without visual reporting, and the number of rejections in production was too high to meet the IATF standard. Three problems at once, without a structured approach to address them.

Symbol’s approach

Two Junior consultants from Symbol successively prepared the organisation for the IATF audit. The approach combined standard implementation with the concrete digitisation of processes.

What has been done in concrete terms:

  • IATF 16949 processes documented and work instructions migrated from Excel to LeanForms, digital forms software with built-in workflows.
  • Complaints procedure structured as the first process via LeanForms: complaints are now handled faster and recorded structurally.
  • Power BI implemented for KPI reporting: raw data from Excel converted into visual dashboards for management and production.
  • Production data generation project launched: collecting data from machines to gain insight into exactly what happens during production and where rejections occur.
  • Knowledge transfer secured: Ricardo worked together with the team so that the organisation can continue independently after the project.

“Symbol has a wealth of in-house knowledge, which we gratefully utilise in both small and large projects. The hands-on mentality of the junior consultants has generated enthusiasm within our team.”

Results

Metric Before After Improvement
IATF 16949 compliance Not present On track for certification In progress
Complaints procedure Unstructured Digitised via LeanForms Faster and secured
KPI reporting Excel, no depth Power BI dashboard active Visually manageable
Production data availability No insight Data generation started Foundation laid

Shin-Etsu is IATF 16949 certified
In addition to the standard, processes have been digitised, KPIs made visual, and a data infrastructure built that the organisation can continue to use independently after the project.

client case shin-etsu

Lessons learned

IATF 16949 is more than just obtaining a certificate. It requires a fundamental redesign of how processes are documented, monitored, and managed. Shin-Etsu shows that implementation is also an opportunity to carry out broader improvements: from paper work instructions to digital workflows, from Excel tables to visual KPI dashboards.
The second insight: an external consultant is most valuable when they look beyond the original assignment. Ricardo noticed that the production side was a blind spot and started a data generation project. That kind of proactive thinking makes the difference.

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Do you recognise this in your organisation?

A customer request or market requirement that calls for certification for which internal knowledge is lacking. Processes that are not yet geared towards the requirements of the standard.

Symbol helps you implement the standard and simultaneously improve processes structurally. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation.

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