Supplier Six Sigma at
Cummins
January 2010
Suppliers Eligible for the
Cummins Six Sigma Program
 Cummins Supplier Six Sigma is primarily intended for
suppliers which have been identified as critical to each
business unit of the Company.
 Given the magnitude of Cummins entire supply base, it is
recognized that we cannot provide all elements of the
program effectively to the total supply base.
 Cummins business units each have methods of
identifying which suppliers have been selected as
‘critical’ to their business.
 Purchasing representatives and quality champions, using
the methods identified by their business, will determine if
a supplier is eligible to participate in the Cummins
Supplier Six Sigma Program.
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Training Summary
 Project Selection
– Each supplier must have a project selected prior to training.
– The selection of projects by using a common methodology which requires gathering and
analyzing data, selecting projects aligned with business priorities, defining projects with clear
objectives and assigning targeted dollar value of improvement.
– Please contact your purchasing representative to help you develop a project objective and
charter to work during training.
 Supplier Project Sponsors Training
– Focuses on the project selection process and what it means to be a sponsor, as well as the
statistical tools that are used in the improvement process, so that sponsors understand why
they are used, what they mean, and how they are linked together.
 Black Belt / Green Belt in-depth training
– Training is for project leaders on the Six Sigma methodology and use of statistical tools.
– Three weeks of training are delivered in four months, with Belts working a project as they are
trained using a learn-by-doing approach.
– There is an expectation that the belt is proficient in simple math skills and computer skills
The belt will also be required to bring a laptop computer with Minitab Statistical Software.
This software can be purchased at www.minitab.com.
 Training Benefits
– Cummins has an expectation of benefits from supplier Six Sigma projects, including reduced
costs, improved quality and improved delivery. Realized benefits to Cummins including
dollar savings are negotiated between the supplier and a Cummins commercial purchasing
representative. Savings are based on the actual outcome of the project.
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Six Sigma Training Availability
 Eligibility for a supplier to attend Cummins Six Sigma training
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must be approved by a Cummins commercial purchasing
representative and the quality champion representing the
business area.
There is no fee to attend the training if the project selected will be
providing a benefit to Cummins.
Only suppliers that are providing a service or product to Cummins
should be invited to Six Sigma Training.
Critical Suppliers are encouraged to attend ‘Supplier Designated’
training launches if they are available for the business area. The
Cummins purchasing representative for each supplier shall be
contacted for availability.
Six Sigma training is offered throughout the world within Cummins
facilities. If supplier designated training launches are not
available, suppliers may be scheduled to attend any Cummins Six
Sigma training launches with Cummins participants. Training
instructors will work to the guidelines contained in this document.
Six Sigma Project Support for
Suppliers
 All Six Sigma training participants must work an improvement
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project with benefit to Cummins as part of the training.
A Cummins co-belt is required on the project.
Technical project guidance (Master Black Belt Support) will be
provided during the period of training and continue until project
closure.
Technical project guidance for subsequent projects worked after
the training by the supplier will be provided if a Cummins co-belt
is identified and the project is tracked on Cummins Six Sigma
database. Technical project guidance is also available if a
Cummins representative has been assigned to participate on the
team.
All projects will need to meet the evidence requirements upon
completion whether they have been worked solely by the
supplier or with Cummins technical guidance and an assigned
Cummins co-belt.
Roles of Supplier Six Sigma
Program Participants
Supplier Belt
 Attends all training if registered in a Cummins training launch and leads the project
with a Cummins Six Sigma co-belt.
Supplier Sponsor
 Performs all the requirements as defined by the Cummins Six Sigma program as a
project sponsor. Attends day 1 of the first week of training with the supplier belt to
understand the responsibilities of a Six Sigma sponsor.
Supplier Team Participant
 Participates in the Six Sigma project as an active team member. Does not attend
training.
Cummins Belt
 A Cummins Six Sigma belt will be matched to work with the supplier belt. The
Cummins Six Sigma belt will go through the training with the supplier belt or will have
been previously trained.
Cummins Sponsor
 Performs all the requirements as defined by the Cummins Six Sigma program as a
project sponsor.
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Supplier Six Sigma Project Sponsors
are expected to:
1) Participate in project selection process and project charter
development.
2) Identify supplier team members on Six Sigma teams either led by the
supplier belt or a Cummins Six Sigma belt.
3) Remove political roadblocks to help the belt and team stay on
schedule and meet goals of the Six Sigma projects.
4) Mentor and coach belt on areas where you have expertise related to
the project.
5) Understand the basic DMAIC process by attending sponsor training
for one day during supplier launches.
6) Hold Weekly project reviews (minimum) and monthly MBB review with
belt.
7) Required to report results to the Cummins sponsor and/or purchasing
leadership during sponsor review sessions.
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Supplier belts / Lead belts are
expected to:
1) Lead and successfully close a Six Sigma project.
2) Attend all of the required training sessions, if
registered in a Cummins training launch.
3) Participate in Master Black Belt Reviews as necessary.
4) Utilize the ‘Project Tracker’ to communicate progress.
5) Provide monthly updates to the Cummins sponsor
review meeting through your Cummins Sponsor/Belt
highlighting any issues or concerns.
6) Provide data to your Cummins sponsor/belt to load
into the Cummins data base.
7) Agree to present your project results to Cummins
senior leadership upon successful completion if
requested by Cummins.
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Supplier Team Participants are
expected to:
1. Agree to participate actively on the team being
led by either the supplier or Cummins Six Sigma
belt as needed.
2. Agree to participate throughout the entire
project lifecycle.
3. Participate in Master Black Belt Reviews as
necessary.
4. Attend all team meetings as required by either
the supplier or the Cummins Six Sigma belt.
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Cummins co-belts are expected to
support the supplier belt by:
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Attending the training launch with the Supplier Belt, if
needed. (Cummins belt does not need to attend training
with supplier if already trained)
Participating as a core team member, allowing the
Supplier Belt to LEAD the project.
Providing Cummins data as required for the project.
Updating and maintaining the project on the Six Sigma
data base.
Updating the Cummins Sponsor.
Attending all Master Black Belt reviews.
Facilitating any required internal changes for Cummins