A model for assessing the anticipated relative financial impact of implementing the tools of lean manufacturing on a manufacturing concern
- Authors: Francis, Merwin
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Production management , Manufacturing processes , Production planning , Industrial efficiency , Total productive maintenance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8972 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1326 , Production management , Manufacturing processes , Production planning , Industrial efficiency , Total productive maintenance
- Description: Lean manufacturing has seen its creators, Toyota, rise from insignificance in the middle of the previous century, to the biggest selling car manufacturer in the world today. Another Japanese car manufacturer, Honda, which has also been practising the principles of lean avidly during the last few decades, has also made huge strides towards becoming a dominant force in the car market. These Japanese companies‟ adoption of lean has seen many of their mass producing United States (US) and European counterparts struggle for survival. Maynard (2003:10) predicted that by the end of the decade, at least one of the „Big Three‟ auto makers in the US – Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors (GM) – would be forced to undertake significant restructuring to continue in operation. At the time of this writing all indications are that this prediction will come true. GM is in the process of major shareholding restructuring in an attempt to keep the company afloat, having run up insurmountable debts in the face of the current global economic downturn. Adopting the lean methodology has become a matter of necessity. The continued use of mass production methods alone is no longer viable; companies need to also employ lean methods intelligently in order to remain competitive. This study is regarded as a crucial endeavour to assist operations managers of manufacturing concerns in developing lean implementation strategies which will maximise the benefits to the organization.
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- Date Issued: 2011
The application of constraint management to a simulated manufacturing environment
- Authors: Van der Merwe, Karl Robert
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Theory of constraints (Management) , Production management , Manufacturing processes -- Computer simulation , Production engineering -- Computer simulation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9606 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/409 , Theory of constraints (Management) , Production management , Manufacturing processes -- Computer simulation , Production engineering -- Computer simulation
- Description: South Africa endorsed a world trade accord ratified in Geneva on December 13, 1993. To promote world economic growth, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) aimed to slash duties on 8000 categories of manufactured goods. Tariff barriers have declined significantly and are now approaching trivial levels (Hill, 1999, p163). Unfortunately, South Africa is ranked near the bottom of the World Competitiveness Report (Cheales, 1995, p8). Increased foreign competition has caused many South African companies to search for techniques that will improve their overall performance. Unless these techniques can be identified and implemented timeously, some companies may fail to remain competitive. This research addresses the lack of awareness in the Eastern Cape (SA) and utilisation of two techniques used successfully in the USA (and elsewhere in developed countries) namely, Constraint Management and simulation. The overall objective was to develop a method of convincing industry management of the benefits of the two techniques. The approach adopted was to use simulation to prove Constraint Management. To achieve this objective a comprehensive literature survey was performed to determine the logic of each technique and the associated benefits. The next step was to determine the levels of awareness among industry practitioners and managers. Managers, engineers and academics were requested to complete questionnaires in order to determine awareness and utilisation of each technique as well as factors that prevented the application of both. The simulation modeling process was examined in order to verify the logic of simulation and a model of a manufacturing system was developed. Constraint Management principles were then applied to the model in a series of experiments. This process was then developed into a manual that could be used to address the lack of awareness and utilisation of both Constraint Management and simulation. The manual was tested on a group of BTech students and industry practitioners in order to establish whether its use would be effective in raising awareness, understanding and utilisation. The outcome was positive and it was established that this technique was effective.
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- Date Issued: 2005
Analysis of supply chain improvement strategies by first tier automatic suppliers in the Nelson Mandela metropole
- Authors: Tinderholm, Pieter Johannes
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Business logistics , Production management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10841 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/37 , Business logistics , Production management
- Description: First tier automotive suppliers in the Nelson Mandela Metropole are under continued pressures created by the process of globalisation. To stay globally competitive suppliers, have to rethink their supply chain strategies. It is important that suppliers understand the environment that it operates within, this environment present first tier automotive suppliers with numerous problems and challenges. An analysis of this problems and challenges are needed and supply chain strategies need to be developed to overcome these problems and challenges. Before these strategies can be developed a full understanding of the supply chain is necessary. This dissertation aims to assess the problems and challenges facing first tier automotive suppliers, give a full understanding of the supply chain and present strategies to overcome these problems and challenges. The supply chain has become less structured and closer partnerships are needed between trading partners. The connectivity, transparency and visibility of the supply chain have improved through developments in the communication technology field. Strategies need to utilise these technologies to create a competitive edge. Effective supply chain strategies need to enable first tier automotive suppliers to deliver materials: At the right time; In the right quantities; At the right quality.
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- Date Issued: 2001
Assessing the impact of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome on Volkswagen of South Africa
- Authors: White, Stephen Mark
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Automobile industry and trade -- Management , Labor productivity , Production management , Volkswagen of South Africa (Firm)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10844 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40 , AIDS (Disease) -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Automobile industry and trade -- Management , Labor productivity , Production management , Volkswagen of South Africa (Firm)
- Description: This treatise takes the form of an impact study. It is based on a three-month period of research involving literature review, interviews with VWSA officers and a survey of 111 of the 5500 workers who comprised the workforce of the VWSA plant in Uitenhage at that time. The author has attempted to portray the general views of experts in the field of HIV/AIDS corporate impact and impact management. In addition he has attempted to assay the current and forecast policies and practices in respect of the management of the epidemic by VWSA. The workers in the plant were consulted by survey and a variety of insights into the level of understanding of the epidemic, tolerance levels, expectations and so on were made. The quantification of these insights must be viewed with caution since the survey sample of 111 was relatively low for a workforce of circa 5500. Calculations in respect of representativity are included to facilitate calculated caution. It has been shown that the HIV/AIDS epidemic has a considerable current impact on the company and that this impact can be expected to grow considerably in the future. It has been suggested that an active intervention program would be well timed if implemented immediately
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- Date Issued: 2001
The strategic impact of HIV/AIDS on first level component suppliers to the motor industry, located in the Nelson Mandela Metropole
- Authors: Hughes, Edward Peter Clive
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Automobile industry and trade -- Management , Labor productivity , Production management , AIDS (Disease) -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10943 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1006722 , Automobile industry and trade -- Management , Labor productivity , Production management , AIDS (Disease) -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Description: HIV/AIDS is undoubtedly the single most important and daunting health problem facing Africa. Globally too, this is one of the most serious health, medical and social preoccupations of our time (Chinery-Hesse, 2000: 1). The aim of this research study is to evaluate the strategic impact of HIV/AIDS on first level component suppliers to the motor industry located in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. To achieve this aim a literature study was undertaken to determine the patterns of development, the infection statistics and to explore strategic options and actions for dealing with the effects of the disease. An empirical study has been conducted to assess the opinions of senior management within first level component suppliers. The results from the study indicate that most companies in the selected group believe that HIV/AIDS will have a serious impact on their organisations. In conclusion, various recommendations have been made with regards to the findings ascertained in the literature review and empirical study.
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- Date Issued: 2001